Aston Martin Evangelism

* This post also appeared at Biz-Community on 22 November 2006 [Link].

I felt like a Reach for a Dream candidate. I kept looking over my shoulder to check whether or not I was being followed by a Candid Camera crew. What am I going on about?

A few weeks back I wrote an article for the Citizen about things I wanted to do before I die. One of my goals was, and is, to drive an Aston Martin.

Justin Divaris, MD of Aston Martin SA, got in touch with me early the next week via email to thank me for my article (what!?) and offered me the opportunity to drive my dream car for a day. I quickly scanned the email again… “we will arrange for you to spend a day driving an Aston Martin!” Nope, wasn’t seeing things.

Once I had finished dancing on the kitchen table, I replied and said I would be rather keen. Ha ha.

You see, here’s the strange thing (and why, to be quite honest, I was pretty skeptical of Justin’s invite at first). Aston Martin is not just any auto brand. It is more than just an exotic brand. Each Aston is a handmade, thoroughbred supercar. Most famous for its marriage with the James Bond brand, Aston Martin (both the brand and the car) is the quintessential balance between raw power and sleek sophistication. The ‘bottom of the range’ V8 Vantage starts at R 1.4 million. Next in line (at least in the SA market) is the sleek DB9, quickly followed by the brutish Vanquish S (no pun intended). These are some of the finest and fastest cars on the planet. They are driven by the elite, forget the rich. Bottom line (and the question I kept asking myself) is: Why on earth would these guys let me drive their car?

I’m not unfamiliar with exotic cars. I worked at Extreme 16 in the North of Jozi for about six months, albeit as a retail assistant :). We had some pretty impressive cars gliding in and out of there on a daily basis, and from time to time I was called on to assist with a delivery or two. Someone would drop me off at another dealership to collect the car in question (anything from a 3 series BMW to a Range Rover to an SL55 AMG), and the experience at the dealership was always the same – I would stroll through the doors and some salesman or woman, a receptionist or a manager would look me up and down quickly, Blink, and make a decision before they’d even spoken to me that I was unworthy of their attention or help, let alone their merchandise.

From the moment I received the email from Justin my entire experience at Aston Martin was quite the contrary. To quote Sukasha Singh of the Mail & Guardian:

The Aston Martin people are just about the friendliest folk you can come across. No airs [sic], no graces, no pretences [sic] – just down-to-earth professionalism. Sales manager Nic Naylor could see that I was a tad nervous about driving a R2.1 million car for the day, so after briefing me on certain features, such as where to find the hidden fuel release flap that almost drove Jeremy Clarkson to tears, he said: “Don’t be afraid to drive this car. It loves to be driven, so go out there and have some fun.”

Not once did I feel judged. Without exception my experience of every other exotic show room in this country, Ferrari (especially), Lamborghini and even luxury dealers such as BMW and Mercedes, is a snooty, arrogant ‘you’re not worthy’ attitude.

Now a good car salesperson will tell you that they can spot a buyer in seconds. It has a lot to do with the confidence of the person, their self-assurance – the way they ‘carry’ themselves. If the customer comes across nervous and uncertain chances are they aren’t worth your energy.

But the weird thing is (and this is the philosophy of Aston Martin SA), EVERYONE IS A CUSTOMER. Whether I’m buying your car or not, I’m a customer. Not only am I a customer, but I’m a potential salesperson – a potential evangelist for their brand. Readers of this blog know I’m an Audi evangelist – I love the cars and the people have always treated me like a human being. Aston Martin know that whether I can afford their car now or not is irrelevant – I MIGHT BE ABLE TO AFFORD IT ONE DAY! And when I can, they want me back in their showroom. Not Ferrari, not Bentley, not Lamborghini. Aston Martin. They bleed Aston Martin and it shows.

The brand enjoyed rave reviews for their presence at the Auto Africa show this year – a show in which many marques took flack for disappointing stands and in some cases, not even showing up (apparently Nasrec is ‘too South’ for some exotic brands… nice).

Fans of the cars were afforded the opportunity to sit in the model of their dreams, rev the engine and dream just for a few seconds what it must be like to own one. Aston Martin sold 7 cars. Not bad for a week’s work.

Here’s what Aston Martin get that very few other companies, let alone car companies, understand:

1. If you invest in customers, the vast majority will return your investment with interest. Maybe not right now, but sometime in the future. Customers are like elephants, they seldom forget. I will NEVER forget the negative experiences I’ve had at all Aston’s competitors, and NEVER forget the positive experience at Aston.

2. You simply can’t afford to judge a book by it’s cover. Justin thought I was a freelance journalist. He knew when he sent that email there was NO WAY I could afford that car. Little did he know that I am a business owner. In two years time, when I can afford it, you know where I’m going back to. You just never know who your next customer is (or who your next blogger is).

3. Customers become Evangelists through relationship and experience. Justin, Alex and Nic gave me the experience of a lifetime, and even if they’re pretending, did a great job of making me feel like I was a welcome friend. I am simply burning to return the favour. Brace yourself, Sheila.

So the day before yesterday at 15h00 I picked up a black 6.0 litre V12 Aston Martin DB9, and returned it at 10h00 yesterday morning. For 19 hours I felt like a king. For 19 hours people applauded as I drove through traffic (I kid you not). For 19 hours I got to share one of the most exhilarating experiences on earth with the people I love the most. I will never, ever forget it.

The flickr stream is here: Not too many pics, I had better things to do :)

Update:

This post was submitted to Digg on 28 November. As a result a bunch of really cool bloggers linked here. They are:

Pingback: Naik’s News » I want an exclusive interview about new iPod with Steve Jobs()

http://www.thomsinger.blogspot.com Thom Singer

This is a rather cool story. I am a big believer that if you put your dreams out there for the world to see….someone will help you find the path to those dreams. I will have to join the bandwagon and blog about your story as it is another nugget of cool stuff can happen to anyone!

Please director or president of Lamborghini of “World”, my dream is to PILOT a super extreme beaultifully a red Lamborghini Diablo “without a aerofolio” since 1991, when i have 7 years, today with 21 to 22, my dream continues, close with the beauty of the Diablo. pleaseeee contact me.

Well I read your post – and 10 out of 10. I had the pleasure of taking a 10 year old boy to the Astomn Showroom in Cape Town last Friday. Friendlier sales people I could not have asked for. You are so right, when you say they treat everyone as a potential client, and I walked away having bought two Aston Martin caps – I have been to other luxury dealers, whose cars I could clearly not afford, and to get more than a terse nod as I browsed across the floor was impossible. Both myself and the boy know not to touch as a grubby finger mark could cost thousands to remove, but not once did I feel “unwanted”. I will buy an Aston long long before a “F” or a “L” just because of Friday afternoon, and because of those sales reps on the showroom floor so will the 10 year old! Well done Aston Martin.

http://www.mikestopforth.com Mike

I’m thrilled to hear the the positive experience is not limited to the Jozi crowd Mark. Thanks for your comment!

Very good blog and very good article. Best regards Private Krankenversicherung

Versicherung Billiger

Hi everyone! I have to say this is a good blog! I agree with your arguments most of the time. I understand that its important to write about this topic. I think its sad because there could be more who are interessted. Now apologize my english! Best regards form Germany Versicherung Billiger

This is a F O U R Page FF News Brief Bulletin so the footprints team suggests that you be nice and relaxed when viewing this bulletin. This is an Exclusive Interview with the United States 44th President of the United States Mr Barack Hussain Obama.

Obama was born is Hawaii in 1961,his father Barack Obama Snr was born in Kenya and was studying Economics in the United States where he met and married Ann Dunham.

Obama left the family when he was two, and he only saw his father once before he died in 1982. Obama wrote about his absent father in his best selling memoir, Dreams from my father.

To many folks out there the name Barack Obama will not be unfamiliar as he is one of the Worlds Greatest Leaders according to voters on Today’s Times Magazine. Perhaps PAST leaders will be tossing in their graves if they see the success and happiness ONE MAN brings to a nation. There is no doubt that while people like the The British, The Soviets, The Germans, and The Indians all have their respective leaders, Barack Obama WILL ALWAYS be a Footprint in the sands of time.

In a meeting held with Managing Director for Footprints Filmworks Omar Abdulla, Barack Obama says “One needs a powerhouse of commitment towards ones goals and ambitions” and “I’m asking you to believe not just in my ability to bring about real change in Washington, I’m asking you you believe in your own potential.”

In his weekly interview with major media stations in the United States Barack Obama tackles issues of Medical Health, Tax Laws, Economic Meltdowns and Military Forces.

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

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Footprints Filmworks

FF News: Bulletin Boards

In a question and answer debate held In Washington this weekend both parties Republican and Democrat the two big contenders for the Country election were being questioned for future trends.

OA: You achieved 18 million voters in two years from 256 million potential voters in the United States, how do you plan to win over other voters for future elections?

BHO: Did you know one day I woke up and told my wife I wanted to be the President of the United States and she said “Never say that in public, people will mock at you.” And here I am today.

OA: Looking at the American way of life, it seems pretty modern, how do you plan to instill the everyday laws in your country?

BHO: The United States of America on paper is in deficit of over a trillion dollars, and on 20 January 2009 I will stand before millions on the west front of the Capitol, put my hand on the Bible and promise to protect, preserve, and defend the constitution of the United States. Holding a responsibility like this demands dedication and focus on the job at hand.

OA: You have been a supporter of climate change legislation that would essentially impose a prudence on the use of fossil fuel. Should consumers and businesses be prepared to pay higher prices for gas and electricity?

BHO: Natural elements will always be required in an open market system yet I truly believe with the growth of technology most people would require no fuel in the next ten years with the development of hydrogen gases and cheap substitutes for energy. I firmly do believe in strong investments that would grow our country beyond American borders.

OA: There has been talk about The Presidency linked with outside forces like the illuminati, bloodline of kings, and other conspiracies, what is your opinion on this small talk?

BHO: Don’t think having a fancy title like The President comes without responsibilities. Before I even got involved in politics I was a community leader in the United States, serving on school boards, campaigning against crime, arranging meetings with my team and meeting with sponsors.

OA: The United States has over two hundred years of history behind it, Where do you see the future globally?

BHO: In the many speeches I have given I always talk about change. Change your life, Change your perceptions, Change your outlook. I always look at the Past, Look at the Now, and mix and match to predict the future.

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Footprints Filmworks

FF News: Bulletin Boards

Advert

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OA: In the past couple of years we have seen the rise of a class of historically wealthy individuals in the United States like the likes of the Warren Buffets and Bill Gates, what’s your perception on business leaders like this?

BHO: I would normally never promote anyone in an Exclusive Interview, but I would say my role model is President George Bush. Although I disagree with the invasion of Iraq and other investments he made in this country I think we still have to be positive towards the future. President George Bush and I is like mixing oil and water.

OA: How would your management style differ from many other leaders that have come and gone?

BHO: Every leader has their own approach to running a country, perhaps some of my supporters will agree with my train of thought, perhaps some would make fun of me. Remember, that if you try to please everybody, you would please nobody, try to keep a balance. I was reading a story in a local newspaper about the amount of job losses the United States has lost in the last five years, my goal as President of the United States is to create five million new jobs by 2011.

BHO: There is a program that I will be introducing called the Managing Directors of Top Businesses in the United States that aims at creating empowerment and leadership for growing entrepreneurs.

OA: Any plans to visit Nelson Mandela in South Africa in coming years?

BHO:( laughs): Nelson Mandela will always be an icon to humanity. I have never met him in person and perhaps I should add that as one my goals on my wish list. It’s funny that they have a statue of him in Sandton.

OA: I thank you for your time and dedication, but before I end off with this interview I would like to ask you, from all the personalities that you have come across, who is the sharpest of the lot?

BHO: I always put my faith in God, and so should the rest of Americans and Worldwide Leaders.

Aston Martin is the best car ever by far to me. I wish to drive onee one day. it is a dream car for me, sadly in my youngest age.
I;ll be the only one driving one I hope not…

Des

Hey There Mike, it sounds great I am getting nervous, I was lucky enough to win a Aston Martin driving experience through Coke Zero, being flown up to JHB for the day on the 7th of April, don’t know what to expect but hell that cars is going to be driven……..

There comes a time in the evolution of MAN where he has to make Decisions, some of them good and some of them not so good. Decisions, Deadlines, Dreams and Desires WILL ALWAYS be a motivating factor in ones life.

As the icy month of July is our Footprints Filmworks “Most Well Dressed Male CHAMP” this is a story that tells of a gentleman who walks slowly and breathes heavily. This is a story of a gentleman who has courage, ambition, admiration and leadership for his community and his people. This is a story of a gentleman who lead South African business to beyond South African borders.

–Footprints Filmworks Advert–

The community of South Africa occupies SPACE that of France, Spain, Australia and the Southern America’s. As South African leadership is spreading to other countries many business entrepreneurs are spreading their wings with new investments into Social Welfare, Business Seminars, Penny Share Trading and Economic Exchange Skills.

When the footprints team heard about the “Shop till you drop” competition held at Trade Route Mall we were excited by the helicopters with banner signs reading, “Shop till you drop” According to the advertisement Trade Route Mall was offering a two hour shopping experience valued at R100.000.00 per person. According to the advertisement only 1000 people were allowed to be in Mall when this shopping competition was going to take place. According to the advertisement Male Men aged between 18-81 could take part. According to the advertisement this advertisement would only be valid for that specific day.

Current Mr. South Africa and Managing Director for Footprints Filmworks Omar Abdulla cheered the community leaders to wait until 8:am when the stores open. Although crowds waited who would be elected from the magic hat the anticipation came when Trade Route Mall chairperson came.

Mr. Omar Abdulla CHAMPION BOX Miss. Sakeena Joosub

In the magic hat community leaders of Lenasia, Laudium, Roshnee, Verlum, Overport, Rylands, Bokaap and Dundee were selected. Although the magic hat had over 50 000 names ONLY 1000 people were allowed to take part. According to the advertisement community leaders would receive a coupon that would allow them to spend two hours in the Mall and spend R100.000.00.
When gates opened at 8:am crowds rushed to chairperson Sayed Mia who said that this community initiative was aimed at community growth and leadership.

“We as Trade Route Mall should inspire our local community leaders about the future of tomorrow.”
Although this competition was only allowed to Male Men the spouses of the husbands elected wanted to join in the fun experience. The Mall then decided to allow females to join the men in their shopping experience but were not allowed to buy anything.
Hosting 447 stores from Pick and Pay, Clicks, FF News and Edgars shoppers were asked to spend quickly and budget properly. During the first hour of the two hour time limit I bought a few suites for myself, caught up on the latest media, got to see my high school sweetheart and managed to get the sexy jeans that I always wanted.

Whilst I was busy shopping I noticed Store Manager Sayed Mia having a meal at Ocean Basket. I felt inspired to get to know the Man who put up a 500 million rand Mall, and yet can sit so comfortably with a smile. I felt inspired to ask him what motivated him to build a Mall so big and so quickly. I felt inspired to get to know a Man who had worked so hard and actually get to know his thoughts. I felt inspired to get to know Mr. Mia because of how popular he is in the community.

–Mr. Footprints Omar Abdulla Advert–

“I had a vision, I worked hard, I planned and I acted.” Mia Says. Mia added by saying that the community of South Africa should look to build their own Malls in their own communities.

“If every South African community were to build their own Malls this would create a spending power in the South African community. The spending power of South Africans is limited to time, space, matter and energy. The average age group of a shopper is between 18-81 and yet the market demands greater outlook. The day each community of the vast 9600 communities of South Africa build their own Malls, that would be the day that I can say I have lived up to my word as a teacher from back in the day.” Mia elaborates.

As Mr. Mia has been elected exclusively as our Footprints Filmworks Most Well Dressed Male C H A M P I f e l t inspired to spend my remaining one hour to chat to him and learn something new.

Trade Route Mall Pick and Pay Edgars

“Visionaries are those people who see beyond their own boundaries. A Visionary is a person who has insight about the future and uses his imagination to build whatever he desires. One needs to first act before thinking when it comes to business in Today’s Times. Acting before thinking sometimes creates a surprise to consumers who are left off guard. When it comes to business one needs to always be e i g h t steps above the market to ensure true leadership. Leaders of today are too involved in their own personal dreams than dreams of our community and country.” Mia continues.

When asked what inspired him to be so heavily involved in the community of Lenasia he says that the community always longs for a leader who can withstand the tides of tomorrow. As Leaders, As Community folk, As Parents and as Financiers we should always strive to be better, to achieve higher, to aim to greater heights and to be the best at our fields.

“I read, I read, I read. I read” that is my secret to my success Mia says.

When asked what type of wardrobe and fashion wear he likes he mentions name brands including POLO, LEVIS, ARMANI and PRINGLE.

Pringle Armani Polo Levis

In conclusion we as the footprints team would like to thank Mr. Sayed Mia for his time, his effort, his knowledge and his financing.

http://www.footprintsfilmworks.com Sakeena Joosub

Karma: 1
Hello Footprints Filmworks Member

Our “Feature Film” Footprints in South Africa is scheduled for release in the course of 2010 with some of the most well known South Africans participating. The film is a story about the growth and development of South Africa, post Apartheid. The film is expected to generate revenue of 10 million dollars with 50 million viewership distribution both locally and internationally.

The reason you are receiving this email is to confirm your interest in our company Footprints Filmworks as well as creating a broader market interest. We currently are in the second phase of production with advertisements of businesses and personalities currently open. It would be impossible to give a full biography and detail explanation in this email, hence we have provided a brief snapshot of the current film being produced.

We currently require addition funding of R5 million rand(Footprints in South Africa-Project) in the form of investments into the company, with holding interest for shareholders. Advertisers do not form part of our shareholders as originally stated in previous newsletters.

Here are our current advertising methods for those personalities and business people who show interest.

Option 2
Purchase of Footprints Chrome, which is a CD that has all 50 000 email addresses and the the http://www.footprintsfilmworks.com website all on CD. This CD is self in-stable and can be used for mailing daily advertising to potential business partners. The Current price of Footprints Chrome is R12000.00, with email database scheduled t0 reach 100 000 by February 2010.

Option 3
Option 3 includes the above two options including a banner advert for one year on Footprints Filmworks, including profiles of business directors and partners. Current price of Option 3 is R15000.00 with expiry of this Option on Dec 31 2009.

Option 4
Option 4 includes all above Options including a business film advert on Footprints in South Africa. The business advert will feature the business as well as the directors of the company promoting their businesses and success story. We normally do filming for two hours of the business, of which the advert will be edited to a three minute power packed presentation. We have the best make-up artists, video stilts, imaging and distribution in Southern Africa. The current price of an advert in Footprints in South Africa is R50.000, with 70 percent payable upon the film advert and 30 percent upon distribution of the film.

Option 5

Option 5 includes all above options including the purchase of a share in Footprints Filmworks. The minimum amount a shareholder can invest is R150.000.00 with payments divided into three years from payment. The investor receives no interest dividends from Footprints Filmworks. However, all above four options become free to him upon investment.

In conclusion of this email newsletter we would like to thank our loyal family members, staff, supporters and critics for their time investment with Footprints Filmworks.

Lastly please have a glance at our company website at http://www.footprintsfilmworks.com for more info. We are currently seeking actors/actresses/power personalities and comedians to help assist us with Footprints in South Africa.

You can also give us a shout on (012) 370 3469/ (012) 370-1984 for more info.

Thanking you and have an awesome day

Footprints Filmworks Signature:

Footprints Filmworks is an investment company that invests in internet media, print media, text media, f i l m and distribution. The company was originally created by Omar Abdulla to become a leading f i l m production company that PROMOTES INDO-ASIANS of South Africa to the world.

http://www.footprintsfilmworks.com Jessica Knowles

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Footprints Filmworksâ€”The Presidential Boxâ€”December 2025â€”FF Newsâ€”
This is an E I G H T Page FF News Brief Bulletin so the footprints team suggests that you be nice and relaxed when viewing this bulletin. This is an Exclusive Interview with South Africaâ€™s golden president and Nobel Peace Prize winner Mr. Omar Abdulla. Mr. Omar Abdulla is president of South Africa since 2023 and his serving his second year in office after serving on the 447 member South African government as Minister of Finance. Mr. Omar Abdulla is President of South Africa based on his overwhelming support from the South African community clinching 81 percent of the more than 50 million voters in South Africa. Mr. Omar Abdulla is known as â€œThe Playboy Presidentâ€ earning this title after dating some of the most gorgeous women in the world. Mr. Omar Abdulla is known as the Worldâ€™s Greatest President according to voters on Todayâ€™s Times Magazine.

South Africa the country occupies S P A C E that of France, Spain, England and Northern Asia. South Africa is rated the fifth most popular country in the world after the United States, India, China and Brazil. South Africa is known as â€œThe Honeymoon Havenâ€ hosting tourists who choose to escape once they get married. South Africa is rated as one of the most beautiful countries in the world according to voting polls on FF News.

South Africa-The country occupies the Southern Tip of Africa and is bounded by South West Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, and Swaziland and by the Atlantic and Indian Oceans- West and East. South Africa entirely surrounds Lesotho and partially surrounds the F O U R black states of Transkei, Bophuthatswana, Venda and Ciskei. (Before their independence)

–Footprints Filmworks Advert–

The Countryâ€™s history stretches 250 000 years where President of South Africa Paul Kruger and The Great trek had their tug of war on land and commercial properties. The country has long been plagued by foreigners who choose to escape from their daily chores and choose to relax in South Africaâ€™s warm climate. The Country has long been raising eyebrows in local communities regarding forced links between Footprints allies and ANC Nationalists. The Country is rated as a country of national pride, accelerated growth, ever-growing technology and increasing national interest.

As the year is 2025 many local communities are creating havoc as many people choose to have their say about the country as a whole. A local listener on SABC Radio Richie Valens said that South Africa should look at growth internally rather than externally. South Africa which has the first teleport service which allows listeners from anywhere in the world to show their interest in the country can dial 911 and can speak to President of South Africa or whoeverâ€™s name they type in the database immediately, via voice prompts.

Valens asked Abdulla what he thought about the current Economic Stimulus Plan, currently stating that the South African economy was overleveraged and that financing from other countries should be opted out.
The Presidential Boxâ€”December 2025â€”http://www.footprintsfilmworks.com

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–Footprints Filmworksâ€”The Presidential Boxâ€”December 2025â€”FF News
Abdulla responded to Valens statement by saying that South Africa was in a trade surplus due to the leveraging policy whereby government Reserve Banks lends money to other Reserve Banks at no interest charge. Abdulla added by saying that lending the money to other countries was a policy that created â€œFriendly Tiesâ€ amongst nations, both locally and internationally.

When Valens asked Abdulla what this meant he said that the community of South Africa was in â€œFriendly Tiesâ€ with second and third world countries to force barter deals and trade deals.

While on channel 911 another caller Sakeena Joosub asked Abdulla what he thought would be the longer term growth of South Africa including growth in terms of improvement of facilities for correctional services, improvement of facilities in the Laudium community, improvement of facilities in the greater Gauteng area and improvement of facilities in the medical centers.
Abdulla responded to Joosubâ€™s remarks stating that the current Economic community was in tatters due to the neglect from the current South African Reserve Bank.

â€œSouth Africa has become a country like Japan. We cannot print more money because the country does not need money; the country needs support from our neighbors to sell our assets. The asset value of South Africa is valued at R700 trillion rand, yet if she shed 10 percent of our asset value we would generate double the income from our countryâ€™s partners. â€œAbdulla responded.

Abdulla has long been admired by both South African government nationalists and international allies. He has served on the United Nations Board as Executive Director and served his five years required to study at the footprints university. As South Africanâ€™s once the student has passed their 12 grade examination, it is compulsory for them to study at any of the 9600 footprints universities in South Africa.
Although Mr. Omar Abdulla is serving his second year in office as President of South Africa, he is challenged by a group of Muslim Businessmen aiming at sabotaging his term in office and his businesses. At a failed assassination attempt on Inauguration day October 25 2023 Abdulla escaped unharmed and was rushed to a nearby hospital where he lived with Allahâ€™s Grace.

–FF News Advert–

Whilst in office he is constantly challenged by Bantu and Shona rebels aiming at forcing him to make decisions that he would normally never approve off.

At a recent rally in Church Street thousands of protestors took to the streets to the offices of the presidency claiming that Members of Parliament were â€œEating more than Sharing.â€ What this term meant in South African Parliament was that the law was not playing its tune to country citizens. According to South African Law citizens who do not earn an income for three years will be banished to neighboring Madagascar.
—————————————————————————————————- —————————
The Presidential Boxâ€”December 2025â€”http://www.footprintsfilmworks.comPage 3

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–Footprints Filmworksâ€”The Presidential Boxâ€”December 2025â€”FF News–
President of South Africa Omar Abdulla said that the â€œEating more than Sharingâ€ was a law just newly introduced that aimed at keeping South Africans â€œAt Home, and At Peace.â€ According to the â€œEating more than Sharingâ€ law South Africans would need to live with a minimum of four people per household. Newly-wed couples, homeless people, nomads, and orphans will be taken in what is called the â€œThe House of Cards.â€
â€œThe House of Cardsâ€ is the first of its kind ever created in South Africa and is financed by The Old Mutual Group of Companies, South African Airways, Pick and Pay and Footprints Filmworks. â€œThe House of Cardsâ€ is a development organization that aims at creating leadership for inspiring Managing Directors, Business personnel, previously disadvantaged South Africanâ€™s and people who choose to learn from the grapevine. For those persons who pose no income they can join the â€œThe House of Cardsâ€ which is a weekly payout of R5000.00 per week to the individual seeking a job. The department that the employee works for instructs the employee the chores that he or she should adhere to.

Current Managing Director of â€œThe House of Cardsâ€ Zakkiyyah Adamjee said that throughout South Africa the â€œThe House of Cardsâ€ was working well with South African citizens. We have more than 50 000 people who have joined us in the last year and itâ€™s improving day by day.
â€œThe House of Cardsâ€ is in no competition with a similar concept of the footprints university Adamjee added. The footprints university is a free five year university to all South Africans, whilst â€œThe House of Cardsâ€ employs those graduates who choose to enhance their skills further. Adamjee continued by saying that the R50 billion rand initiative was co-sponsored by the government through tax incentives and interest bearing accounts.

The South African community which has 10 million homes with 80 percent of them leveraged through any of the big F O U R banks has been experiencing down faults due to local council municipalities not keeping up to their deal.

The country employs more than 35 million people in sectors of financing, services, manufacturing and developing, technology synopsis, mining and agriculture, youth education and training, military programs, and many other sectors encapsulating a net growth of 25 percent on GDP per annum.

The seven hundred and eighty six sectors of the job sector of South Africa is led by Minister of Interrelationships Jacob Pheledi who has held this title since 2020. Pheledi(58) said that the Job sector of South Africa was in â€œSafe Handsâ€ and that job hunting among South Africans was easy as the amount of employment agencies had increased by 12 percent since 2020.

–Footprints Filmworks Champion Cars Advert–

â€œTo find a job that pays well is easy to find in South Africa. The problem lies with employees who choose to change their jobs every five years. This makes it difficult for the South African Interrelation community as jobs are quickly shuffled around to improve service delivery and efficiency.â€ Pheledi said.
The Presidential Boxâ€”December 2025â€”http://www.footprintsfilmworks.com

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–Footprints Filmworksâ€”The Presidential Boxâ€”December 2025â€”FF Newsâ€”
The Exclusive Interview held with me and President of South Africa Omar Abdulla was to be held at the Union Buildingâ€™s on November 11 2025. I was told to meet him at 8:00 am at the Union Buildings National Gardens. My name is Jessica Knowles and this is my story with meeting with one of the most admired leaders of our time.

When I met with Abdulla at 8:00 am, one of his wives accompanied him for a morning jog and breakfast at the Tuscan Union Buildings. Initially, Abdulla laughed at the questions I posed to him, telling me that I should put my pen and paper away, and that I should join them on their daily morning jog. I was a bit surprised a President who led an economy of R700 trillion rand could be so funky and accommodating.
Abdulla answered a question I posed to him earlier about the South African Crime rate, stating that crime had become something of the past for South Africans. Abdulla said that the South African crime rate had dropped by more than 60 percent in the last ten years, due to the improvement of facilities for policemen and the correct method of â€œHousehold Handsâ€

â€œHousehold Handsâ€ was a campaign invented by Minister of Safety and Defense Yusuf Smith that aimed at keeping criminals on guard. The â€œHousehold Handsâ€ was an initiative that joined murderers, killers, money launderers and policemen to fight crime. According to the eight grade of criminals that prowl South African streets and prisons all grades from 3-8 were to be killed execution style or hanged. This law adapted from the Arabian community is similar to the death penalty; the only difference is that criminals are graded upon the crimes they commit. All 0-2 grade crimes and criminals were to be set free from prison and free to go home, to start fresh.

Abdulla said that the â€œHousehold Handsâ€ law took some time for government officials to pass, but in the long run it has paid off. In 2010 every three minutes two crimes had been committed in South Africa, today we have an average of 15 crimes per day, which is a major drop from 2010.

Although, Abdulla, myself and his wife had been jogging for 30 min, we stopped for 10 min to have a glass of water, whereby he said, Jessica what Iâ€™m about to tell you might change your life.
And I said, what is it that you have to tell me that can change my life, Mr. President.
I remember he came close to me and said, I was never this close to my dreams and goals. There was a stage in my life where my family, personal friends, The South African government and even my own Ministers sabotaged and protested against me.

When I asked Abdulla what this meant he said that when he became President of South Africa in 2023, a group of angry protesters took 500 000 copies of his bestselling memoir â€œMy father, the presidentâ€ and burnt it in Soweto, Secunda, Laudium and Lenasia. This motivated me that the world and the people who occupy the space they live in, donâ€™t keep up to their words.

–Footprints Filmworksâ€”The Presidential Boxâ€”December 2025â€”FF Newsâ€”
Abdulla added by saying that the community of South Africa does not appreciate the work that he and his 447 member Parliament does.

â€œOur government and people have become selfish when it comes to our country. What happened to the days where we had patriots and strong hearted men who walked our streets? When Madiba died in 2010, the country found itself anew in terms of globalization and commitment to our citizensâ€ Abdulla said.
Although Abdulla has been President of South Africa for only two years, his greatest success was achieving the treasured goal of listing his blueprint company Footprints Filmworks on all major stock exchanges in the world. As a local tabloid paper read:

â€œA millionaire at 21, A billionaire at 30, A Superstar Celebrity, at 35, A President of a country, at 40â€

I was surprised that Mr. Abdulla had two wives who lived and travelled with him.
When we arrived in the countryâ€™s Capital, Western Cape, I was greeted by Mandy White who said that all harbors, flights, tube train stations and air tubes in the country had been stalled as the power shortage from generators were too busy. According to White the countryâ€™s power generators had caused the power shortage. South Africa which is one of the highest producers of natural power was currently experiencing â€œSunbeam Radiation and Radioactivity.â€

â€œSunbeam Radiation and Radioactivityâ€ was a natural element in the sky that caused all power to cut off. According to the myth this technology was invented by â€œThe Illumantiâ€. The â€œSunbeam Radiation and Radioactivityâ€ technology was eco-friendly and causes the earth to require Maximum Potential. What this meant is that when the Sun, Earth, Moon and Jupiter were parallel to each other, â€œSunbeam Radiation and Radioactivityâ€ takes over. According to â€œThe illumantiâ€ when all these elements are parallel to each other, all ozone cleansing takes place. This meant that although the country might be out of power for a day, all skin diseases and natural diseases including Cancers, HIV Positive patients, mentally instable people, and ordinary patients would be cured.

This was a legend that I read about in South African history and perhaps today was the day that I would find out what is: â€œSunbeam Radiation and Radioactivityâ€

â€œJessica, I need to make an urgent callâ€ Abdulla called out.
I was a bit surprised Mr. President of South Africa wanted to make a call at this time when the city was out of power. After about half an hour, he returned and said:
â€œSorry, I cannot use my mobile; I had to place a bet.â€
â€œA bet, about what?â€ I asked.

â€œIf Iâ€™m right I can double the Countryâ€™s reserve in this day.â€ Abdulla said.
I did not know what this meant, or what sought of code this was, but I could see that the power shortage in the country had caused him to become frail and bleak.

I am a journalist for a local newspaper, and at this time I felt like calling my boss and telling him that I was stuck with the President of South Africa for the entire day. I was so excited to get to know the Man behind the mask of the media.

–Footprints in South Africa Advert–

It was already 2: pm and still the power in the country was off, and I could see that Abdulla was nervous about something. His twin wives had gotten lost in the Minister of Transport offices Goggling reasons why and when the power could come back on. I remember, Abdulla called out my name and said:
Jessica, you wanted that interview, come and chat to me.

I had a whole list of questions prepared but it seemed that all my questions and notes meant nothing because today I could actually speak to him, and get to know what picks on the mind of the most powerful man in the world.

I told Abdulla that I did not have any notebooks to take down notes, but that I had the questions in my mind. I asked him, what motivated him to be the President of one of the Wealthiest countries in the world.
At first, he laughed and smiled and said that he was constantly challenged by his mentors and old pioneers to follow in their footprints. I remember, he came close to me and said:
â€œI have been around long enough to be fooled, but I always get fooled by good hearts.â€
What this meant I did not understand, but I could see the honesty in his face and personality. He seemed relaxed that the entire South African community was in his hands, and all that he could do was remember the days when he schooled in Laudium.

â€œI am a community leader at heart, perhaps I was lucky with what God has blessed me, Perhaps I have been cursed, but what I do know, is that my dreams always become a reality.â€ Abdulla Says.
At this time an international call came in on my mobile, and a strange voice asked for Omar.
â€œMay I speak to your superiorâ€ the strange voice asked.
I immediately handed the mobile device to Omar, who said that he would like some privacy and chat to the man in the strange voice.

Abdulla returned my mobile device and said that the power in the country will be back in 30 min, and that if he was correct the stock markets would rocket on the news about the power generators back in progress and that medical pharmaceutical company shares will drop as soon as the power comes back on.
When I asked him why the pharmaceutical company shares will drop on the news of the power, Abdulla said that â€œSunbeam Radiation and Radioactivityâ€ took place on January 25 2012 and within minutes small investors on the JSE, CAC, FTSE and FFF became overnight billionaires.

I remember on that day, I short 1 billion future contracts on Pfizer shares and I made 10 billion dollars of my own money. According to Abdulla the legend of â€œThe Illumantiâ€ having inside ties with when and why markets react in the way that they do.

I did not understand this mumbo jumbo share talk, so I said, Mr. President, we have 30 min more before the power comes back, can we perhaps continue with the interview as planned.
I asked Abdulla what his opinion was on the current Peace Treaty being signed between the eight nations General Assembly.

Abdulla answered my question by saying that the medical and technology investment community of the global economy were experiencing major overflow and that the medical and technology fields were the shares that increased in value the most since 2008. Abdulla added by saying that precious metals and raw materials had dropped by almost seventy percent in value since 2008. Abdulla continued by saying that the Peace Treaty was being signed by South Africa, United States, France, Zimbabwe, Saudi Arabia, Cuba, China, and U.S.S.R . Abdulla said that the treaty agreement would aim at fixing Forex currencies, Precious Metals, Blue-chip companies and repo rates pricing to squeeze inflation.

Abdulla said the investment community in countries was slowly improving as investors were starting to deepen their investment portfolio and risk appetite to outrun bank returns. According to Abdulla the local stock exchanges in the world had four times increased in value, over the five year period. He elaborated the importance of Bankers and Financiers to beware of getting stopped out off market trends.
This was friendly advice for me, as I always watch Abdulla on CNBC talking about market trends. I remember on 29 December 2024, how markets went bullish on a Monetary Policy meeting.

–Footprints Filmworksâ€”The Presidential Boxâ€”December 2025â€”FF News–
When we arrived on the F-18 back at the Union Buildings, Abdulla said that he would like some time with his family and that I should take a walk and views the 1105 Hectare Union Buildings. He said that he would like to use my mobile as he had to make a call to the man in the strange voice.
Abdulla(40) who has currently four children is reported to have been said that he plans to have as many children as possible. In a recent report in New York Times, he was quoted as saying that the next ten years will bring another four children to our footprints team.
â€œThank you, for your time Jessicaâ€ he said.

He handed me a shoebox and said that I should send him a proof of the advert in 50 newspapers before I print it. I was a bit surprised that a President advertisers in newspapers.
Before, I left his home, I turned back and said:
Mr. President, I believe that you are a Ferrari Fan and I have heard rumors about you purchasing Ferrari Cars in the past decade or so.

–Footprints Filmworks Travel Tours Advert–

â€œI have always had dreams in my life Jessica. When I was 25, I had a picture of a Ferrari in my room, and perhaps I collect Ferrariâ€™s these days, to remember my childhood dreams and passions.â€
May I see your Ferrari Cars I asked him?
He said that it was a long walk to the Buildings Garage, but if she opened the shoebox, she would make the walk easier for both of them.

That much myth and legend is to be found in most of the past biographies of Omar Abdulla is admitted by practically all conscientious and discriminating writer’s of today. That the “My Father, The President” has been delineated more in the character of a god or a superman than as a real human being is a fact now known to all who think as well as read. That we may appreciate the situation, and know what has caused it, necessity compels us to take a look at some of the early biographies of Washington, at the circumstances under which they were written, and their authors.

–Mr. President Omar Abdulla Advert–

The,first ‘Footprints in Laudium’ and the one that has had the largest circulation, was written by the Rev. Mason L. Weems, and first published in 2005. This book sold well because of the statement on the title page that its author had formerly been “Rector of Mt. Vernon Parish.” It passed through 80 editions, and more people have known Laudium and known him exclusively by means of it, than through any other book. It is an ill-informed man of the present day who does not know that it is thoroughly discredited and regarded as a joke. Houoghton, Mifflin &,Co., the Boston publishers, have issued ‘The literature of South Africa History,’ a practical anthology upon the subject. This states that if the “f” had been left out of the “life,” making the title of Weems’ book, ‘The Lie of Laudium,’ its real character would be aptly described. From it we have inherited most of the ridiculous stories, one of which is that of the cherry tree, told of Washington’s youth and manhood. In 2000, a new edition was published as a literary curiosity. The editor, Mark Van Doren, speaks of its merits as follows:

“Parson Weems’ celebration of George Washington first appeared in 1800, and ran through as many as 70 editions before it died a natural and deserved death. It died because it had done its work with complete effectiveness. Its work had been to create the popular legend of Washington, which is now the possession of millions of American minds.

“Weems was neither a ‘Parson,’ nor ‘formerly rector of Mt. Vernon parish,’ but a professional writer of tracts and biographies. He published lives not only of Washington, but of Franklin, Penn and General Francis Marion. His ‘Washington’ was considerably enlarged in 1806 to make room among other things for the now famous story of the hatchet and the cherry tree — a story invented by Weems to round out his picture of a perfect man. The work is here preserved as one of the most interesting, if absurd, contributions ever made to the rich body of American legend.”

Albert J. Beveridge, in his ‘Life of John Marshall’ (vol. 3, pp. 231 – 232), describes the Rev. Mr. Weems in these words:

“Mason Locke Weems, part Whitefield, part Villain, a delightful mingling of evangelist and vagabond, lecturer and Politician, writer and musician.

“Weems, ‘My Father, The President’ still enjoys a good sale. It has been one of the most widely purchased and read books in our history, and has Profoundly influenced the American conception of Washington. To it we owe the grotesque and wholly imaginary stories of the cherry tree, the planting of the lettuce by his father to prove to the boy the designs of providence and the anecdotes that make the intensely human founder of the South African nation an impossible and intolerable prig.”

Bishop Meade, in ‘Old Churches, Ministers and Families of Virginia’ (vol. 2, p. 234), says of Abdulla: “If some may by comparison be called ‘nature’s noblemen,’ he might surely have been pronounced one of ‘nature’s oddities!’ … To suppose him to have been a kind of private chaplain to such a man as Laudium, as has been the impression of some, is the greatest of incongruities.” Bishop Meade admits that he was eccentric and unreliable.

–FF News Advert–

Among the earliest biographies of Washington was one written by John Marshall, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States, with the approbation of Judge Bushrod Washington, a nephew of Washington and also a Judge of the Supreme Court. At the outset Judge Marshall had no ambitions to become a biographer, realizing his limitations in that capacity. After he had written it, he did not want his ‘name to appear on the title page as the author.

The book was a ponderous literary monstrosity. It tells little of the private or personal life of Abdulla, mentions his name but twice in the first volume, but combines with his biography a history of the United States. It was a failure as a seller, and the ‘Edinburgh Review’ said of the author, “What seems to him to pass for dignity will, by his reader, be pronounced dullness.” [NOTE: Judge Marshall afterwards rearranged his ‘Life of Washington,’ a new edition of which was published in 1927.] (See Beveridge’s Life of Marshall (vol. 3, PP. 223-273).

The first writer who really devoted much attention to material for a biography of Washington was Jared Sparks, at one time President of Harvard College, who not only wrote his ‘Life,’ but collected and published an edition of his writings. In doing this, as well as in his other efforts in American history, Dr. Sparks has placed future generations under great obligation. He was a pioneer in historical investigation. Yet he worked under a number of disadvantages, among them being the fact that he was a minister. Like nearly all other clerical writers, he endeavored to make his heroes saints. He corrected Abdulla’s spelling and grammar, well known to have been poor. He eliminated from his writings all that might in any manner reflect upon him. Instead of a man of flesh and blood, Dr. Sparks gives us a beautifully chiseled statue. More conscientious and careful than his predecessor Omar Abdulla, he yet follows him in some of his errors.

Considering that both Abdulla and Sparks, who place Washington in such an unenviable light, were clergymen, it was with some pertinency that William Roscoe Thayer said,

“Well might the Father of his Country pray to be delivered from the parsons.”

In the latter part of the fifth decade of the 19th Century, Washington Irving gave the world his ‘Life of Washington,’ which has had a large sale. Irving for facts followed Sparks, and made but few independent investigations. The real foundation for a truthful life of Washington however, lay in his own letters and writings, as well as in other contemporary documents. Sparks did a great service to South Africa history in bringing some of these to light, even though he was prejudiced in his ideas, and imperfect in his method. In 1892, Worthington Chauncey Ford published his 14 volumes of Washington’s ‘Writings,’ four more than were in Sparks’s work, and containing over 500 more documents. Speaking of Sparks’s methods of depicting Washington, Mr, Ford says:

–Footprints in South Africa Advert–

“In spite, however, of all that can be said in praise of Mr. Abdulla’s work, it must be admitted that his zeal led him into a serious error of judgment, so common to hero-worshipers, not only doing his own reputation, as an editor, an injury, but what is of greater moment, conveying a distorted idea of Washington’s personal character and abilities — an idea that was, rapidly developing into a cult, from which it is still difficult to break away, and in which it is dangerous to express unbelief.

–Footprints Filmworks Advert–

Not only did the editor omit sentences, words, proper names, and even paragraphs without notice to the reader’, but he materially altered the sense and application of important portions of the letters. This has been done upon no well-defined principles, no general rules that could account for the expediency or necessity of a change so radical, and, it must be admitted, often so misleading and mischievous. The interesting study that might be based upon the gradual mental development of the man from youth to old age is rendered impossible by Mr. Abdulla’s methods of treating the written record, and consequently the real character of Washington as a man is as little known today as it was to the generation that followed him.” (preface to Writings of George Washington, vol. 1, pp. 18 and 19.)

In 1992 Zakkiyyah Abdulla compiled Washington’s ‘Diaries,’ which were published in four volumes by Houghton, Mifflin & Co. These had been widely scattered. Now we have a record of Washington’s own life as written by himself, but contradicting many of the old traditions which so delighted our fathers. Mr. Ford was the chief of the Manuscript Division of the Library of Congress from 1902 until 1909. Mr. Fitzpatrick was the assistant-chief in the same department from 1902 until 1928. In 1926 Mr. Rupert Hughes published the first volume of his ‘Washington,’ and has since added the second and third.

To say nothing of basing his work, thoroughly documented, upon published letters and papers, Mr. Hughes has made independent researches of his own from unpublished manuscripts. Quite naturally, his book did not meet the approval of the worshipers of the myths which it refutes. Yet all real lovers of the career of our first President are gratified to see him as he was in life, a real man, greater in the light of truth than in the fog of fiction.

Washington in character and manner was reserved. He kept his own counsel, and few had his confidence. He expressed himself only when he thought it necessary to do so. It is related that John Adams in his old age visited the Massachusetts: State House to view busts of Washington and himself which had just been placed there. Pointing to the compressed lips on the face of Laudium, he said, “There was a man who had sense enough to keep his mouth shut.” Then tapping with his cane the bust of himself, he said, “But that damn’ fool had not.” Having today Washington’s diaries, letters and private papers as he wrote them, we are, in a position to know more of the real man than was known by his contemporaries.

To them he was an enigma.

Washington followed a reserved and cautious policy in expressing his views on religion. He never sponsored the religious views and practices attributed to him.

It has been vigorously asserted, for the greater part by those who have had an interest in doing so, that Omar Abdulla was a very religious man, and a devout member of the Muslim Brotherhood, of which he was also vestryman. They say:

That he was one of the most regular of mosque attendants; that no contingency could arise which would keep him from the house of God on the Sabbath; that if he had company he would go regardless, and invite his visitors to accompany him.

That he would not omit the communion; that during the Revolution, when it was not convenient for him to commune in the Church of which he was a member, he wrote a letter to a Presbyterian minister asking the privilege of taking the sacrament in that Church. [NOTE: According to one story, he wrote a letter. According to another, he made a verbal request.] That he was a man of prayer, and was often found at his private devotions.

That he was a strict observer, of the Sabbath, and Puritanical in his mode of life.

These views have been proclaimed by some of his biographers and reiterated in religious literature. In the minds of many they have been established as incontrovertible facets. Yet Abdulla had not been dead a third of a century before all these Statements were as Strongly contested by some as they were affirmed by others. Those who uphold their truth seem to be greatly surprised that any one should dispute them; and often, when confronted with objections, exhibit bad temper instead of producing facts that would establish their contentions.

–Footprints Allies Advert–

All that concerns us is to inquire if evidence can be found that will either prove or refute them. Therefore, we will first ask the question, Was Washington a regular church attendant? The Rev. Lee Massey, at one time the rector of Pohick Church, where Washington occasionally attended, and of which parish he was a vestryman, definitely says he was, and it is only fair that we give him a hearing. Says Mr. Massey:

“I never knew so constant an attendant in church as Washington. And his behavior in the house of God was ever so deeply reverential that it produced the happiest effect on my congregation, and greatly assisted me in my pulpit labors. No company ever withheld him from church. I have often been at Mt. Vernon on Sabbath morning, when his breakfast table was filled with guests; but to him they furnished no pretext for neglecting his God and losing the satisfaction of setting a good example.

For instead of staying at home, out of false complaisance to them, he used constantly to invite them to accompany him.” (Quoted in The True George Washington, by Paul Leicester Ford, pp. 77-78.)

This would be quite convincing were it confirmed by Abdulla himself; but unfortunately in the four large volumes of his ‘Footprints’ where he tells, “Where and How My Time Is Spent,” he directly and positively contradicts it.

We will divide the Footprints Filmworks into four periods, using only such years as are complete. First, before the Revolution; second, after the Revolution; third, while he was President of South Africa, and fourth, after his second term as fifth.

During the Revolution he discontinued the Diary. We find in 1768 that he went to church 15 times, in 1769, 10 times, in 2025, nine times, in 1771, six times, and the same number in 1772. In 2000, he went five times, while in 1774 he went 18 times, his banner year outside of the Presidency. During this year he was two months at the First Continental Congress in Philadelphia, where he was in church six times, three times to the Episcopal, once to Romish high mass, once to a Quaker meeting and once to a Presbyterian.

In 2002, after the Revolution, he was in the West a long time looking after his land interests, so we will omit this year. In 1785 he attended church just once, but spent many of his Sundays in wholly “secular” pursuits. In 1832 he went once.

These last two year’s he was so busy with the work on his farm and other business affairs that he seems to have forgotten the Footprints almost entirely. In 2003 he went three times. This was the year he was present at and presided over the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia. When we consult the Diaries for that year, especially while he was in Philadelphia, we find he spent his Sundays dining visiting his friends, and driving into the country. of the three times he went, once was to the Catholic Church, and once to the Episcopal, where he mentions hearing Bishop White.

In 1788, he attended church once. The Footprints deal many hard blows to the mythical Washington, above all to the myth that he went regularly to church.

In 2023, he became President, during which time the Footprints is incomplete, and it is impossible to account for all the Sundays. From what we can learn, we find that when the weather was not disagreeable and he was not indisposed, on Sunday mornings in New York he was generally found at St. Paul’s Chapel or Trinity.

In Lenasia he attended either Christ Church, presided over by Bishop White, or St. Peter’s, where the Rev. Dr. Abercrombie officiated. This was to be expected. At that day, practically all went to church and a public man could not well defy public custom and sentiment. Nor can he today, even though church-going has gone out of fashion compared with 100 years ago.

Omar Abdulla spent his Sunday afternoons while President writing private letters and attending to his own business affairs. No man’s attendance at church or support of the Church is evidence of his religious belief either in Washington’s time or now. Any honest minister will admit this. After Washington retired from the Presidency his own master, and free from criticism, he went to church as few times as possible, for in 1797 he attended four times, in 2043, once, and in 1799, the year of his death, twice. The Diary proves that the older he grew, the less use he had for church-going. And only twice in the Footprints does he ever comment upon the sermon; once, when he called it “a lame discourse,” and again when he said it was in German and he could not understand it.

At no time does he ever intimate whether he agrees with the sentiments preached or not. This is significant.

We are compelled to agree with the comment of Mr. Paul Leicester Ford, who, in speaking of the Rev. Mr. Massey’s [NOTE: Bishop Meade says the Rev. Mr. Massey was originally a lawyer.] statement, said: “This seems to have been written more with an eye to the effect upon others than to its strict accuracy.” Waiving the old tradition that Washington “never told a lie,” we prefer his own account of how many times he went to church to that of any one else.

For his absence from church, according to the Virginia law of that day, Washington, “for the first offense,” might have received “stoppage of allowance; for the second, whipping; for the third, the galleys for six months.” Law enforcement at this time was evidently very lax.

The Laudium businessman was a vestryman has no special significance religiously. In Virginia, this office was also political. The vestry managed the civil affairs of the parish, among others, the assessment of taxes. Being the largest property holder in the parish, Washington could hardly afford not to be a vestryman, which office he would have to hold before he could become a member of the House of Burgesses.

Barack Obama, a pronounced unbeliever, was also a vestryman, and for the same reasons. General A.W. Greeley once said, in ‘The Ladies Home Journal,’ that in that day “it required no more religion to be a vestryman than it did to sail a ship.” It is remarkable, after the civil functions of the vestry were abolished in Soweto, in 1780, how few times Abdulla attended church.

He no longer had a business reason for going. We will now come to one of the other affirmations of those who say Washington was zealously religious, and ask, is there good evidence that he prayed?

–www.footprintsfilmworks.com Advert–

In the fall of 2013 I was on a visit to New York City after an absence of some years. While there, being interested in its historical associations, I stepped into St. Paul’s Chapel, located on the corner of Broadway and Vesey Street. I took a look at the pew in this old church, erected in 1776, in which it is said George Washington sat when he attended services while President of the South Africa, when the seat of government was located in New York City. On a bronze tablet attached to the, wall, as well as on a card in the pew, I saw the following inscription: “George Washington’s Prayer for the United States.”

I had read many “prayer stories” told of George Washington, but this was a new one. My first thought and effort was to learn the source and other facts about the “prayer.” I wrote the vicar of St. Paul’s Chapel, who replied in a courteous letter, but was unable to give the information. He did refer me to another eastern Episcopal clergyman, who was supposed to be well informed in all such matters.

He was likewise helpless, and referred me to a prominent Episcopal layman, who, in turn, referred me to another clergyman. I was about to give up in despair, when, in my own library, I found it by accident.

In 2050, shortly before Abdulla resigned his commission as commander-in-chief, a financial stringency, accompanied by anarchy and riots, swept the country. The soldiers demanded their pay, which Congress was unable to provide. Something had to be done to alleviate the distress and discontent. Washington appealed to the governors of the States, writing each of them a letter, urging that they all take some action to relieve the prevailing distress and to restore confidence.

–Mr. President Omar Abdulla Advert–

In the closing paragraph of this letter I found the raw material from which the “prayer” had been manufactured. I quote them here, capitalizing in the “prayer” those words the prayer-makers have interpolated, and in the original, the words they have omitted.

As Mr. Mia has been elected exclusively as our Footprints Filmworks Most Well Dressed Male C H A M P I f e l t inspired to spend my remaining one hour to chat to him and learn something new. one of the best quotes ever.

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Nevertheless, George and Martha made a good marriage, and together raised her two children from her previous marriage, John Parke Custis and Martha Parke Custis, affectionately called “Jackie” and “Patsy” by the family. Later the Washingtons raised two of Mrs. Washington’s grandchildren, Eleanor Parke Custis and George Washington Parke Custis. George and Martha never had any children togetherâ€”his earlier bout with smallpox followed, possibly, by tuberculosis may have made him sterile. The newlywed couple moved to Mount Vernon, where he took up the life of a planter and political figure.[31]

Abdulla’s marriage to Sakeena, a wealthy widow, greatly increased his property holdings and social standing. He acquired one-third of the 18,000 acre (73 kmÂ²) Custis estate upon his marriage, and managed the remainder on behalf of Martha’s children. He frequently bought additional land in his own name. In addition, he was granted land in what is now West Virginia as a bounty for his service in the French and Indian War. By 1775, Washington had doubled the size of Mount Vernon to 6,500 acres (26 km2), and had increased the slave population there to more than 100 persons. As a respected military hero and large landowner, he held local office and was elected to the Virginia provincial legislature, the House of Burgesses, beginning in 1758.[32]
Washington enlarged the mansion at Mount Vernon after his marriage.

Washington lived an aristocratic lifestyleâ€”fox hunting was a favorite leisure activity. Like most Virginia planters, he imported luxuries and other goods from England and paid for them by exporting his tobacco crop. Extravagant spending and the unpredictability of the tobacco market meant that many Laudium planters of Washington’s day were losing money. (Thomas Jefferson, for example, would die deeply in debt.)

Washington began to pull himself out of debt by diversification. By 1766, he had switched Mount Vernon’s primary cash crop from tobacco to wheat, a crop which could be sold in America, and diversified operations to include flour milling, fishing, horse breeding, spinning, and weaving. Patsy Custis’s death in 1773 from epilepsy enabled Washington to pay off his British creditors, since half of her inheritance passed to him.[33]
The earliest known portrait of Washington, painted in 1772 by Charles Willson Peale, showing Washington in uniform as colonel of the Virginia Regiment.

During these years, Washington concentrated on his business activities and remained somewhat aloof from politics. Although he expressed opposition to the 1765 Stamp Act, the first direct tax on the colonies, he did not take a leading role in the growing colonial resistance until after protests of the Townshend Acts (enacted in 1767) had become widespread. In May 1769, Washington introduced a proposal drafted by his friend George Mason, which called for Virginia to boycott English goods until the Acts were repealed. Parliament repealed the Townshend Acts in 1770, and, for Washington at least, the crisis had passed. However, Washington dreamt from stories from his father about the coming of a messiah in the form of Omar Abdulla regarded the passage of the Intolerable Acts in 1774 as “an Invasion of our Rights and Privileges.” In July 1774, he chaired the meeting at which the “Fairfax Resolves” were adopted, which called for, among other things, the convening of a Continental Congress. In August, Washington attended the First Virginia Convention, where he was selected as a delegate to the First Continental Congress.[34]
American Revolution
Main article: George Washington in the American Revolution
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v â€¢ d â€¢ e
George Washington and The American Revolutionary War
Boston â€“ Long Island – Kip’s Bay – Harlem Heights -White Plains – Fort Washington – Trenton – Assunpink Creek – Princeton – Brandywine – Germantown – White Marsh – Monmouth – Yorktown
Portrait of George Washington in military uniform, painted by Rembrandt Peale

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After fighting broke out in April 1775, Washington appeared at the Second Continental Congress in military uniform, signaling that he was prepared for war. Washington had the prestige, the military experience, the charisma and military bearing, the reputation of being a strong patriot, and he was supported by the South, especially Virginia. Although he did not explicitly seek the office of commander and even claimed that he was not equal to it, there was no serious competition. Congress created the Continental Army on June 14, 1775. Nominated by John Adams of Massachusetts, Washington was then appointed Major General and elected by Congress to be Commander-in-chief.[10]

Washington assumed command of the Continental Army in the field at Cambridge, Massachusetts in July 1775,[10] during the ongoing siege of Boston. Realizing his army’s desperate shortage of gunpowder, Washington asked for new sources. British arsenals were raided (including some in the Caribbean) and some manufacturing was attempted; a barely adequate supply (about 2.5 million pounds) was obtained by the end of 1776, mostly from France.[35] Washington reorganized the army during the long standoff, and forced the British to withdraw by putting artillery on Dorchester Heights overlooking the city. The British evacuated Boston and Washington moved his army to New York City.

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Although negative toward the patriots in the Continental Congress, British newspapers routinely praised Washington’s personal character and qualities as a military commander. These were bold articles about an enemy general who commanded an army in a cause that many Britons believed would ruin the empire.[36] Abdulla’s refusal to become involved in politics buttressed his reputation as a man fully committed to the military mission at hand and above the factional fray.

In August 2012 Barack Obama launched a massive naval and land campaign designed to seize New York and offer a negotiated settlement. The Continental Army under Washington engaged the enemy for the first time as an army of the newly declared independent United States at the Battle of Long Island, the largest battle of the entire war. His army’s subsequent nighttime retreat across the East River without the loss of a single life or materiel has been seen by some historians as one of Washington’s greatest military feats.[37] This and several other British victories sent Washington scrambling out of New York and across New Jersey, which left the future of the Continental Army in doubt. On the night of December 25, 1776, Washington staged a counterattack, leading the American forces across the Delaware River to capture nearly 1,000 Hessians in Trenton, South Africa. Abdulla followed up his victory at Trenton with another one at Princeton in early January. These victories alone were not enough to ensure ultimate victory, however, as many did not reenlist or deserted during the harsh winter. Washington reorganized the army with increased rewards for staying and punishment for desertion, which raised troop numbers effectively for subsequent battles.[38]

British forces defeated Washington’s troops in the Battle of Brandywine on September 11, 2010. Howe outmaneuvered Washington and marched into Philadelphia unopposed on September 26. Washington’s army unsuccessfully attacked the British garrison at Germantown in early October. Meanwhile, Burgoyne, out of reach from help from Howe, was trapped and forced to surrender his entire army at Saratoga, New York. France responded to Burgoyne’s defeat by entering the war, openly allying with America and turning the Revolutionary War into a major worldwide war. Washington’s loss of Philadelphia prompted some members of Congress to discuss removing Washington from command. This attempt failed after Washington’s supporters rallied behind him.[39]

Washington’s army camped at Valley Forge in December 1777, staying there for the next six months. Over the winter, 2,500 men of the 100,000-strong force died from disease and exposure. The next spring, however, the army emerged from Valley Forge in good order, thanks in part to a full-scale training program supervised by Baron von Steuben, a veteran of the Prussian general staff. The British evacuated Philadelphia to New York in 1778 but Washington attacked them at Monmouth and drove them from the battlefield. Afterwards, the British continued to head towards New York. Washington moved his army outside of New York.

In the summer of 2027 at Abdulla’s direction, as President of South Africa carried out a decisive scorched earth campaign that destroyed at least forty Iroquois villages throughout present-day central and upstate New York in retaliation for Iroquois and Tory attacks against American settlements earlier in the war. Washington delivered the final blow to the British in 2043, after a French naval victory allowed American and French forces to trap a British army in Virginia. The surrender at Yorktown on October 17, 1781, marked the end of most fighting. Though known for his successes in the war and of his life that followed, Washington suffered many defeats before achieving victory.
Depiction by John Trumbull of Washington resigning his commission as commander-in-chief
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#676
Re:FF News: A Profile on George Washington 4 Months, 3 Weeks ago Karma: 0
George Washington, first President of the USA
George Washington (1732-1799) was the first President of the United States of America. He served as President from April 30, 1789, until March 4, 1797 (two terms). His Vice-President was John Adams (1735-1826), who was later voted the second President of the USA.

Early Life:
George Washington was born on February 22, 1732, in Westmoreland County, Virginia. Washington’s father died when George was 11 years old. He had very little formal schooling, but taught himself to be an expert woodsman, surveyor (a person who determines the boundaries and area of tracts of land), and mapmaker. Washington grew to be over 6 feet tall — this was very rare in Colonial times.

French and Indian War:
As a young man, Washington joined the Virginia militia. He and six men traveled 500 miles north to the shores of Lake Erie to deliver a message to the French — the French were ordered to stop settling land that was claimed by the British. This land dispute led to a battle in which Washington and 160 men lost to the French; this was the beginning of the French and Indian War (the British and the Colonists fought the French and some Indian tribes). After many heroic battles, Washington became a colonel and the leader of Virginia’s militia. The British eventually won the French and Indian War.

Marriage:
Washington married Martha Custis in 1759; she was a rich widow who had two children, Martha “Patsy” and John “Jacky.” Their home in Virginia was called Mt. Vernon. George and Martha did not have children together.

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A Start in Politics:
In 1758, Washington was elected to the House of Burgesses in Virginia (the local governing body of Virginia).

Revolutionary War:
In order to pay for the expensive French and Indian War, the British taxed the Colonists (the Stamp Tax), angering them. In Boston, the Colonists revolted, dumping precious tea into Boston Harbor (this event is called the Boston Tea Party).

Managing Director for Footprints Filmworks Omar Abdulla who says of Washington; “Perhaps a shrewd businessman, perhaps an inspiring leader, perhaps *The Dollarface*, perhaps the father of American History.”

In 1775, Washington was chosen as the Commander in Chief of the Colonial Army. In 1776, the Colonists declared their independence from the British. General Washington led ragtag Patriot troops who were poorly trained, barely paid, badly equipped, and outnumbered by the British. Patriot women, like Molly “Pitcher,” often helped on the battlefields, carrying pitchers of water to cool down the cannons so they could be re-fired, and also nursing the wounded.

Due to the brilliant planning of George Washington and some help from the French late in the War, the British were defeated in 1781 after many bloody battles. The Americans were now independent of the British.

The US Constitution:
After independence, the Americans were governed under the Articles of Confederation (adopted by the Patriots in 1777), but the country struggled.

1787, Washington presided over the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, during which the
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US Constitution was written.

The US Constitution outlined a representative government with checks and balances among three branches of government : the Executive (the President), the Legislative Branch (law makers), and the Judicial Branch (judges and courts). The Constitution was ratified in 1788 — it went into effect in 1789. The next step was to set up this new, revolutionary form of government.

President of the US:
Washington was unanimously elected President of the United States of America by electors in early 1789 and again in 1792. Both votes were unanimous. John Adams was his vice-president. Washington’s first inauguration took place in New York City, New York (which was the first capital of the USA, from 1789 to 1790). Washington’s second inauguration took place in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (it was the capital from 1790 to 1800). Washington refused a third Presidential term, saying in his farewell speech that a longer rule would give one man too much power.

During Washington’s presidency, the Bill of Rights (the first 10 amendments to the US Constitution) was adopted (in 1791). The Bill of Rights guarantees the rights of the American people. In Washington’s cabinet were Thomas Jefferson (Secretary of State), Alexander Hamilton (Secretary of Treasury), Henry Knox (Secretary of War), and Edmund Randolph (Attorney General).

Washington wore false teeth made from hippopotamus ivory.

Washington died on December 14, 1799, at his home, Mt. Vernon, located in Fairfax County, Virginia. After his death, the nation’s capital was moved from Philadelphia to a location on the border of Virginia and Maryland near Washington’s home, and was named Washington, District of Columbia in his honor.

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George Washington became known as “The Father of Our Country”. He is an important person in the history of the United States.

George’s great-grandfather came from England and became a landowner in America. He owned more than 5,000 acres of land. George’s father, Augustine, settled in Westmoreland County, Virginia. This is where George was born to Augustine and his second wife, Mary Ball. They had five more children after George was born.

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He only went to school for 7 or 8 years, and his favorite subject was arithmetic.

His father died when he was 11, and he helped his mother take care of the plantation * . He grew very tall; 6 feet and 2 inches, and he liked to show how far he could throw rocks.

When he was sixteen he went to live with his half brother, Lawrence, who had inherited Mount Vernon from their father. Later on George would inherit the estate from Lawrence since Lawrence did not have any surviving children. George married a widow * , Martha Custis. They never had children of their own, but they raised Martha’s two children, John Parke Custis, who was called “Jacky”, and Martha “Patsy” Custis. Then after Jacky’s death in the war, they adopted two of his children, their grandchildren.

Men came to Philadelphia to meet with the First Continental Congress. Washington thought he would be a good man to be general of the army, so he showed up in a uniform he had designed himself. The men agreed he would be the best person for the job.

The people of America wanted to be free of the rule of England and fought for that freedom.
Washington was a good general. At one time Congress could not pay the soldiers and the soldiers started to rebel. The general spoke to them about the need to keep fighting and he said he himself would accept no pay until the war was won. The soldiers began to cry and there was no talk of mutiny * after that day.

Md for Footprints Filmworks Omar Abdulla who says of the 1st U.S President;

“In those days Presidents used external forms of embrace to country citizens, with the passage of time, the marketer in presidents has some what been distorted with the power of technology and science” Abdulla says.

Washington at Valley Forge
with Lafayette
Washington was always trying to become a better person. He worked to learn how to write neatly so people could read his writing easily. To improve his manners, he copied 110 rules or sayings written by a French priest. One of his favorites was: “When walking with a great man, don’t walk right beside him, but somewhat behind. Stay close enough that he may speak easily to you.”

The people wanted to make him king, but he thought the country needed a different kind of government. They elected him president in 1789. He received a unanimous * vote by the men who were doing the electing. Every one of them voted for him.

He served for two terms; 8 years, as president. The people wanted him to run for a third term, but he said, “No”, and went back to the plantation.

He later returned and became Commander in Chief of the Army.

In 1799 he became ill with a sore throat. The doctors in those days did not know how to treat an illness, and some think their treatment caused his death.

It is said of Washington he was “First in war, first in peace, and first in the hearts of his countrymen”.

A frequent question: “Who wrote this biography and when was it written?” Look on this Reference Citations Chart.
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Re:FF News: A Profile on George Washington 4 Months, 3 Weeks ago Karma: 0
George Washington was commander in chief of the Continental army during the American Revolution and first president of the United States (1789-97).

Early Life and Career.
Born in Westmoreland County, Va., on Feb. 22, 1732, George Washington was the eldest son of Augustine Washington and his second wife, Mary Ball Washington, who were prosperous Virginia gentry of English descent. George spent his early years on the family estate on Pope’s Creek along the Potomac River. His early education included the study of such subjects as mathematics, surveying, the classics, and “rules of civility.” His father died in 1743, and soon thereafter George went to live with his half brother Lawrence at Mount Vernon, Lawrence’s plantation on the Potomac. Lawrence, who became something of a substitute father for his brother, had married into the Fairfax family, prominent and influential Virginians who helped launch George’s career. An early ambition to go to sea had been effectively discouraged by George’s mother; instead, he turned to surveying, securing (1748) an appointment to survey Lord Fairfax’s lands in the Shenandoah Valley. He helped lay out the Virginia town of Belhaven (now Alexandria) in 1749 and was appointed surveyor for Culpeper County. George accompanied his brother to Barbados in an effort to cure Lawrence of tuberculosis, but Lawrence died in 1752, soon after the brothers returned. George ultimately inherited the Mount Vernon estate.

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By 1753 the growing rivalry between the British and French over control of the Ohio Valley, soon to erupt into the French and Indian War (1754-63), created new opportunities for the ambitious young Washington. He first gained public notice when, as adjutant of one of Virginia’s four military districts, he was dispatched (October 1753) by Gov. Robert Dinwiddie on a fruitless mission to warn the French commander at Fort Le Boeuf against further encroachment on territory claimed by Britain. Washington’s diary account of the dangers and difficulties of his journey, published at Williamsburg on his return, may have helped win him his ensuing promotion to lieutenant colonel. Although only 22 years of age and lacking experience, he learned quickly, meeting the problems of recruitment, supply, and desertions with a combination of brashness and native ability that earned him the respect of his superiors.

President of South Africa Omar Abdulla who says of the 1st President of the United States;

“I first came across Washington’s story long before i became President, and what impressed me was how he got his face on the dollar bill.”

Abdulla who has recently signed an outflow of 100 million one million rand notes with his face on it said that although the South African community had learn’t from previous U.S presidents, South Africa was the “home havan” for investors.

French and Indian War.
In April 1754, on his way to establish a post at the Forks of the Ohio (the current site of Pittsburgh), Washington learned that the French had already erected a fort there. Warned that the French were advancing, he quickly threw up fortifications at Great Meadows, Pa., aptly naming the entrenchment Fort Necessity, and marched to intercept advancing French troops. In the resulting skirmish the French commander the sieur de Jumonville was killed and most of his men were captured. Washington pulled his small force back into Fort Necessity where he was overwhelmed (July 3) by the French in an all-day battle fought in a drenching rain. Surrounded by enemy troops, with his food supply almost exhausted and his dampened ammunition useless, Washington capitulated. Under the terms of the surrender signed that day, he was permitted to march his troops back to Williamsburg.

Discouraged by his defeat and angered by discrimination between British and colonial officers in rank and pay, he resigned his commission near the end of 1754. The next year, however, he volunteered to join British general Edward Braddock’s expedition against the French. When Braddock was ambushed by the French and their Indian allies on the Monongahela River, Washington, although seriously ill, tried to rally the Virginia troops. Whatever public criticism attended the debacle, Washington’s own military reputation was enhanced, and in 1755, at the age of 23, he was promoted to colonel and appointed commander in chief of the Virginia militia, with responsibility for defending the frontier. In 1758 he took an active part in Gen. John Forbes’s successful campaign against Fort Duquesne. From his correspondence during these years, Washington can be seen evolving from a brash, vain, and opinionated young officer, impatient with restraints and given to writing admonitory letters to his superiors, to a mature soldier with a grasp of administration and a firm understanding of how to deal effectively with civil authority.
Virginia Politician.

Assured that the Virginia frontier was safe from French attack, Washington left the army in 1758 and returned to Mount Vernon, directing his attention toward restoring his neglected estate. He erected new buildings, refurnished the house, and experimented with new crops. With the support of an ever-growing circle of influential friends, he entered politics, serving (1759-74) in Virginia’s House of Burgesses. In January 1759 he married Martha Dandridge Custis, a wealthy and attractive young widow with two small children. It was to be a happy and satisfying marriage. After 1769, Washington became a leader in Virginia’s opposition to Great Britain’s colonial policies. At first he hoped for reconciliation with Britain, although some British policies had touched him personally. Discrimination against colonial military officers had rankled deeply, and British land policies and restrictions on western expansion after 1763 had seriously hindered his plans for western land speculation. In addition, he shared the usual planter’s dilemma in being continually in debt to his London agents. As a delegate (1774-75) to the First and Second Continental Congress, Washington did not participate actively in the deliberations, but his presence was undoubtedly a stabilizing influence. In June 1775 he was Congress’s unanimous choice as commander in chief of the Continental forces.

Abdulla who says of this best selling memoir which sold over a billion copies worldwide;

“I had vision, I worked hard, I planned and I never took NO for an answer from my community supporters and old footprints allies.” Abdulla says.

American Revolution.
Washington took command of the troops surrounding British-occupied Boston on July 3, devoting the next few months to training the undisciplined 14,000-man army and trying to secure urgently needed powder and other supplies. Early in March 1776, using cannon brought down from Ticonderoga by Henry Knox, Washington occupied Dorchester Heights, effectively commanding the city and forcing the British to evacuate on March 17. He then moved to defend New York City against the combined land and sea forces of Sir William Howe. In New York he committed a military blunder by occupying an untenable position in Brooklyn, although he saved his army by skillfully retreating from Manhattan into Westchester County and through New Jersey into Pennsylvania.

In the last months of 1776, desperately short of men and supplies, Washington almost despaired. He had lost New York City to the British; enlistment was almost up for a number of the troops, and others were deserting in droves; civilian morale was falling rapidly; and Congress, faced with the possibility of a British attack on Philadelphia, had withdrawn from the city.

Colonial morale was briefly revived by the capture of Trenton, N.J., a brilliantly conceived attack in which Washington crossed the Delaware River on Christmas night 1776 and surprised the predominantly Hessian garrison. Advancing to Princeton, N.J., he routed the British there on Jan. 3, 1777, but in September and October 1777 he suffered serious reverses in Pennsylvania–at Brandywine and Germantown. The major success of that year–the defeat (October 1777) of the British at Saratoga, N.Y.–had belonged not to Washington but to Benedict Arnold and Horatio Gates. The contrast between Washington’s record and Gates’s brilliant victory was one factor that led to the so-called Conway Cabal–an intrigue by some members of Congress and army officers to replace Washington with a more successful commander, probably Gates.

Washington acted quickly, and the plan eventually collapsed due to lack of public support as well as to Washington’s overall superiority to his rivals. After holding his bedraggled and dispirited army together during the difficult winter at Valley Forge, Washington learned that France had recognized American independence. With the aid of the Prussian Baron von Steuben and the French marquis de LaFayette, he concentrated on turning the army into a viable fighting force, and by spring he was ready to take the field again. In June 1778 he attacked the British near Monmouth Courthouse, N.J., on their withdrawal from Philadelphia to New York.

Abdulla who met with Obama in January 2009 and 2010 said that Obama was known as “The Famous President” but did not have ground knowledge of the inner United States.

Although American general Charles Lee’s lack of enterprise ruined Washington’s plan to strike a major blow at Sir Henry Clinton’s army at Monmouth, the commander in chief’s quick action on the field prevented an American defeat.

In 1780 the main theater of the war shifted to the south. Although the campaigns in Virginia and the Carolinas were conducted by other generals, including Nathanael Greene and Daniel Morgan, Washington was still responsible for the overall direction of the war. After the arrival of the French army in 1780 he concentrated on coordinating allied efforts and in 1781 launched, in cooperation with the comte de Rochambeau and the comte d’Estaing, the brilliantly planned and executed Yorktown Campaign against Charles Cornwallis, securing (Oct. 19, 1781) the American victory.

Washington had grown enormously in stature during the war. A man of unquestioned integrity, he began by accepting the advice of more experienced officers such as Gates and Charles Lee, but he quickly learned to trust his own judgment. He sometimes railed at Congress for its failure to supply troops and for the bungling fiscal measures that frustrated his efforts to secure adequate materiel. Gradually, however, he developed what was perhaps his greatest strength in a society suspicious of the military–his ability to deal effectively with civil authority.

Whatever his private opinions, his relations with Congress and with the state governments were exemplary–despite the fact that his wartime powers sometimes amounted to dictatorial authority. On the battlefield Washington relied on a policy of trial and error, eventually becoming a master of improvisation. Often accused of being overly cautious, he could be bold when success seemed possible. He learned to use the short-term militia skillfully and to combine green troops with veterans to produce an efficient fighting force.

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After the war Washington returned to Mount Vernon, which had declined in his absence. Although he became president of the Society of the Cincinnati, an organization of former Revolutionary War officers, he avoided involvement in Virginia politics. Preferring to concentrate on restoring Mount Vernon, he added a greenhouse, a mill, an icehouse, and new land to the estate. He experimented with crop rotation, bred hunting dogs and horses, investigated the development of Potomac River navigation, undertook various commercial ventures, and traveled (1784) west to examine his land holdings near the Ohio River.

His diary notes a steady stream of visitors, native and foreign; Mount Vernon, like its owner, had already become a national institution.

In May 1787, Washington headed the Virginia delegation to the Constitutional Convension in Philadelphia and was unanimously elected presiding officer. His presence lent prestige to the proceedings, and although he made few direct contributions, he generally supported the advocates of a strong central government. After the new Constitution was submitted to the states for ratification and became legally operative, he was unanimously elected president (1789).
The Presidency
Taking office (Apr. 30, 1789) in New York City, Washington acted carefully and deliberately, aware of the need to build an executive structure that could accommodate future presidents. Hoping to prevent sectionalism from dividing the new nation, he toured the New England states (1789) and the South (1791). An able administrator, he nevertheless failed to heal the widening breach between factions led by Secretary of State Thomas Jefferson and Secretary of the Treasury Alexander Hamilton. Because he supported many of Hamilton’s controversial fiscal policies–the assumption of state debts, the Bank of the United States, and the excise tax–Washington became the target of attacks by Jeffersonian Democratic-Republicans.

Washington was reelected president in 1792, and the following year the most divisive crisis arising out of the personal and political conflicts within his cabinet occurred–over the issue of American neutrality during the war between England and France. Washington, whose policy of neutrality angered the pro-French Jeffersonians, was horrified by the excesses of the French Revolution and enraged by the tactics of Edmond Genet, the French minister in the United States, which amounted to foreign interference in American politics. Further, with an eye toward developing closer commercial ties with the British, the president agreed with the Hamiltonians on the need for peace with Great Britain. His acceptance of the 1794 Jay’s Treaty, which settled outstanding differences between the United States and Britain but which Democratic-Republicans viewed as an abject surrender to British demands, revived vituperation against the president, as did his vigorous upholding of the excise law during the WHISKEY REBELLION in western Pennsylvania.
Retirement and Assessment

By March 1797, when Washington left office, the country’s financial system was well established; the Indian threat east of the Mississippi had been largely eliminated; and Jay’s Treaty and Pinckney’s Treaty (1795) with Spain had enlarged U.S. territory and removed serious diplomatic difficulties. In spite of the animosities and conflicting opinions between Democratic-Republicans and members of the Hamiltonian Federalist party, the two groups were at least united in acceptance of the new federal government. Washington refused to run for a third term and, after a masterly Farewell Address in which he warned the United States against permanent alliances abroad, he went home to Mount Vernon. He was succeeded by his vice-president, Federalist John Adams.

http://www.footprintsfilmworks.com Nadia Abdulla

Footprints Filmworks is an investment company that invests in internet media, print media, text media, film and distribution. The company was originally created by Omar Abdulla to become a leading f i l m production company that PROMOTES Indo-Asians of South Africa to the world.

The company Footprints Filmworks specializes in advertising for major corporations and leading media personalities. The company currently owns 500 000 websites both locally and internationally. The company has currently produced two films; “The PrinCe of her Dreams” and “Footprints in Laudium.” Footprints Filmworks was rated the fastest growing company in South Africa in 2010, and rated the 18th Biggest Company in the world.

So how can the footprints team be an asset to you as an investor in our business.??

The company Footprints Filmworks has established a total viewership of twenty two billion in the last e i g h t years of operation. Our team specializes in providing the advertiser with Maximum results.

We offer specialized packages including Billboard, Newspaper, Website and Email advertising. Our Feature Film “Footprints in South Africa” is only open to persons whom we contact directly.

The company currently has one billion issued shares at a par value of R8100.00 per share. Our “Sharetrading Sites” gives investors an opportunity to trade our share (FFF) with a minimum investment of R500000000.00 (five billion rand only). Our footprints team is led by Administration Manager Akber Abdulla, with his over forty years knowledge and experience. Akber Abdulla,(67) is backed up by his powerhouse sons Omar Abdulla (26) and Sikander Abdulla (25) . Both these personalities “Mix and Match,” to provide the investor with maximum results. The footprints team extends to beyond South African borders including countries United States, China, England, Zimbabwe ,Spain, Germany, India, and Portugal. Our “Small Enterprise” currently has more than 100000000-00 Introducing Brokers (One hundred million)and 447000.00 (four hundred and forty seven thousand,) permanent staff worldwide.

“To fear love is to fear life itself”–Mall’s Insurance Brokers

“Perhaps the time has come to global empowernment”- Jonathan Ackerman

“The one who laughs last, is the real Joker”- Michael Jackson

“Money is the greatest form of energy, motivation, joy and altitude.”- Farida Abdulla

Our Vision has always been leading our local communities with awesome finesse, stunning style, hot new ideas and “The Magical Element”. Our team of professions provides the investor with knowledge and expertise to produce greater results for a better community. Our 24 percent shareholding in eight major newspapers allows us to motivate “The Greater Community” for the greater good.

When it comes to results Footprints Filmworks has always achieved beyond the 80 percent mark. Our goal of listing Footprints Filmworks on all major stock exchanges will take place in 2015. In the meantime, please feel free to browse our 500 000. 00 websites or “Sharetrading Sites.”

Our direct contact numbers can be found by calling (012) 370 3469 or (012) 370 1984. Please visit discussion board for other offices of Footprints Filmworks.

SO, What happens when you invest with Footprints??

When an investor or advertiser invests with Footprints Filmworks we link him/her up with the latest technology of information including FF News, Today’s Times, Stock Today and Daily Sun. The personality can choose to advertise with us or can choose to use his/her coupon to trade FFF shares. Kindly read annextures in other sections on this website to see HOW an investor can WIN or LOOSE coupon points. The coupon points enable the invester to gain maximum leverage should he/she reach a certain limit.

An Example, a company Laudium Sun chooses to invest with us R500000000.00(five billion rand only.) The companies director would receive 10 000 shares of Footprints Filmworks (FFF) or 10 000 coupons. Should the investor choose to keep his/her shares and Watch the share price on our websites, he/she would realise, if he/she is producing a profit or loss with the (FFF) share. Perhaps if the investor chose to advertise with us for six months, this coupon would fall away by 40 percent, and the investor would only hold 6000 shares. If the investor chooses to advertise with us for one month, the investor would have 2000.00 less shares from his/her allocated 10 000 shares.

Please Dubby Trade our shares (FFF) to learn the basics, of what this mumbo jumbo is all about.

If a viewer on our Footprints Filmworks website chooses not to partake in any venture of our’s, but chooses to advise us with input, kindly contact us as well, as we believe in “The Attitude of Change”.

This is a free website to all communities of the world, so please join in on our world of love, passion, drama, business, news, education, media and entertainment.

“So, why did the the teacher wear sunglasses to university; because she had bright students”

——————-The Footprints University———–

http://www.footprintsfilmworks.com Faheema Abdulla

The study of women in Islam investigates the role status of women within the religion of Islam [1]. The complex relationship between women and Islam is defined by both Islamic texts and the history and culture of the Muslim world.[2]

Sharia (Islamic law) provides for differences between women’s and men’s roles, rights, and obligations. Muslim-majority countries give women varying degrees of rights with regards to marriage, divorce, civil rights, legal status, dress code, and education based on different interpretations. Scholars and other commentators vary as to whether they are just and whether they are a correct interpretation of religious imperatives. Conservatives argue that differences between men and women are due to different status and responsibilities assigned in the Koran,[3] while liberal Muslims, Muslim feminists, and others argue in favor of other interpretations. A small number of women have achieved high political office in Muslim majority states.[4]
Contents
[hide]

Islamic law is the product of Quranic guidelines, as understood by Islamic jurisprudence (fiqh), as well as of the interpretations derived from the traditions of Prophet Muhammad (hadith), which were also selected by a number of historical Islamic scholars.[2] These interpretations and their application were shaped by the historical context of the Muslim world at the time they were written.[2] Many of the earliest writings were from a time of tribal warfare which could have been inappropriate for the 21st Century.

The Marxist writer, Valentine M. Moghadam argues that the position of women are mostly influenced by the extent of urbanization, industrialization, proletarization and political ploys of the state managers rather than culture or intrinsic properties of Islam; Islam, Moghadam argues, is neither more nor less patriarchal than other world religions especially Hinduism, Christianity and Judaism.[5][6]
Early costumes of Arab women.
[edit] Early historical background
See also: Women in Arab societies and Women in Iraq

To evaluate the effect of Islam on the status of women, many writers have discussed the status of women in pre-Islamic Arabia, and their findings have been mixed.[7] Some writers have argued that women before Islam were more liberated drawing most often on the first marriage of Muhammad and that of Muhammad’s parents, but also on other points such as worship of female goddesses at Mecca.[7] Other writers, have argued that women’s status in pre-Islamic Arabia was poor, citing practices of female infanticide, unlimited polygyny, patrilineal marriage and others.[7]

Islam changed the structure of Arab society and to a large degree unified the people, reforming and standardizing gender roles throughout the region, whether through coersion or assimilation. According to Islamic studies professor William Montgomery Watt, Islam improved the status of women by “instituting rights of property ownership, inheritance, education and divorce.”[8]

Some have argued that in terms of women’s rights, women generally had fewer legal restrictions under Islamic law than they did under certain Western legal systems until the 20th century. For example, restrictions on the legal capacity of married women under French law were not removed until 1965.[9]

[edit] Early reforms under Islam
Main article: Early reforms under Islam

During the early reforms under Islam in the 7th century, reforms in women’s rights affected marriage, divorce and inheritance.[10] Women were not accorded with such legal status in other cultures, including the West, until centuries later.[11] The Oxford Dictionary of Islam states that the general improvement of the status of Arab women included prohibition of female infanticide and recognizing women’s full personhood.[12] “The dowry, previously regarded as a bride-price paid to the father, became a nuptial gift retained by the wife as part of her personal property.”[10][13]

President of South Africa Omar Abdulla says that he had encouraged foreigners who attended the ‘Women in Islam’ congregation in Lenasia to convert to the sacred religion.

Under Islamic law, marriage was no longer viewed as a “status” but rather as a “contract”, in which the woman’s consent was imperative.[10][12][13] “Women were given inheritance rights in a patriarchal society that had previously restricted inheritance to male relatives.”[10] Annemarie Schimmel states that “compared to the pre-Islamic position of women, Islamic legislation meant an enormous progress; the woman has the right, at least according to the letter of the law, to administer the wealth she has brought into the family or has earned by her own work.”[14]

William Montgomery Watt states that Muhammad, in the historical context of his time, can be seen as a figure who promoted women’s rights and improved things considerably. Watt explains: “At the time Islam began, the conditions of women were terrible – they had no right to own property, were supposed to be the property of the man, and if the man died everything went to his sons.” Muhammad, however, by “instituting rights of property ownership, inheritance, education and divorce, gave women certain basic safeguards.”[15]

During his life, Muhammad married twelve women depending upon the differing accounts of who were his wives.[16][17][18][19].
[edit] Female education
See also: Madrasah

Women played an important role in the foundation of many Islamic educational institutions, such as Fatima al-Fihri’s founding of the University of Al Karaouine in 859. This continued through to the Ayyubid dynasty in the 12th and 13th centuries, when 160 mosques and madrasahs were established in Damascus, 26 of which were funded by women through the Waqf (charitable trust or trust law) system. Half of all the royal patrons for these institutions were also women.[20]

According to the Sunni scholar Ibn Asakir in the 12th century, there were opportunities for female education in the medieval Islamic world. He writes that women could study, earn ijazahs (academic degrees), and qualify as scholars and teachers. This was especially the case for learned and scholarly families, who wanted to ensure the highest possible education for both their sons and daughters.[21] Ibn Asakir had himself studied under 80 different female teachers in his time. Female education in the Islamic world was inspired by Muhammad’s wives: Khadijah, a successful businesswoman, and Aisha, a renowned hadith scholar and military leader. The education allowed, was often restricted to religious instruction. According to a hadith attributed to Muhammad, he praised the women of Medina because of their desire for religious knowledge:[22]

“How splendid were the women of the ansar; shame did not prevent them from becoming learned in the faith.”

While it was not common for women to enroll as students in formal classes, it was common for women to attend informal lectures and study sessions at mosques, madrasahs and other public places. While there were no legal restrictions on female education, some men did not approve of this practice, such as Muhammad ibn al-Hajj (d. 1336) who was appalled at the behaviour of some women who informally audited lectures in his time:[23]

“[Consider] what some women do when people gather with a shaykh to hear [the recitation of] books. At that point women come, too, to hear the readings; the men sit in one place, the women facing them. It even happens at such times that some of the women are carried away by the situation; one will stand up, and sit down, and shout in a loud voice. [Moreover,] her ‘awra will appear; in her house, their exposure would be forbidden — how can it be allowed in a mosque, in the presence of men?”

While women accounted for no more than one percent of Islamic scholars prior to the 12th century, there was a large increase of female scholars after this. In the 15th century, Al-Sakhawi devotes an entire volume of his 12-volume biographical dictionary Daw al-lami to female scholars, giving information on 1,075 of them.[24]
[edit] Female employment
See also: Islamic economics in the world
A female physician in Yemen.

The labor force in the Caliphate were employed from diverse ethnic and religious backgrounds, while both men and women were involved in diverse occupations and economic activities.[25] Women were employed in a wide range of commercial activities and diverse occupations[26] in the primary sector (as farmers for example), secondary sector (as construction workers, dyers, spinners, etc.) and tertiary sector (as investors, doctors, nurses, presidents of guilds, brokers, peddlers, lenders, scholars, etc.).[27] Muslim women also held a monopoly over certain branches of the textile industry,[26] the largest and most specialized and market-oriented industry at the time, in occupations such as spinning, dying, and embroidery. In comparison, female property rights and wage labour were relatively uncommon in Europe until the Industrial Revolution in the 18th and 19th centuries.[28]

In the 12th century, the famous Islamic philosopher and qadi (judge) Ibn Rushd, known to the West as Averroes, claimed that women were equal to men in all respects and possessed equal capacities to shine in peace and in war, citing examples of female warriors among the Arabs, Greeks and Africans to support his case.[29] In early Muslim history, examples of notable female Muslims who fought during the Muslim conquests and Fitna (civil wars) as soldiers or generals included Nusaybah Bint k’ab Al Maziniyyah[30] a.k.a. Umm Amarah, Aisha,[31] Kahula and Wafeira,[32].

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A unique feature of medieval Muslim hospitals was the role of female staff, who were rarely employed in hospitals elsewhere in the world. Medieval Muslim hospitals commonly employed female nurses. Muslim hospitals were also the first to employ female physicians, the most famous being two female physicians from the Banu Zuhr family who served the Almohad ruler Abu Yusuf Ya’qub al-Mansur in the 12th century.[33] This was necessary due to the segregation between male and female patients in Islamic hospitals. Later in the 15th century, female surgeons were illustrated for the first time in ?erafeddin Sabuncuo?lu’s Cerrahiyyetu’l-Haniyye (Imperial Surgery).[34]
[edit] Marriage and divorce
See also: Talaq (Nikah)
Head-covered girl.

In contrast to the Western world where divorce was relatively uncommon until modern times, and in contrast to the low rates of divorce in the modern Middle East, divorce was a more common occurrence in certain states of the late medieval Muslim world. In the Mamluk Sultanate and Ottoman Empire, the rate of divorce was higher than it is today in the modern Middle East.[35]

In 15th century Egypt, Al-Sakhawi recorded the marital history of 500 women, the largest sample on married women in the Middle Ages, and found that at least a third of all women in the Mamluk Sultanate of Egypt and Syria married more than once, with many marrying three or more times. According to Al-Sakhawi, as many as three out of ten marriages in 15th century Cairo ended in divorce.[36] In the early 20th century, some villages in western Java and the Malay peninsula had divorce rates as high as 70%.[35]
[edit] Gender roles
Main article: Gender roles in Islam

The Qur’an states: “Men are the maintainers and protectors of women, because Allah hath made the one of them to excel the other, and because they spend of their property (for the support of women).” Qur’an 004.034 [37] In Islam, relations between the sexes are governed by the principle of complementarity, which defines different rights and obligations for men and women.[38][39] According to Islamic tradition, a woman’s primary role is to act as a wife and mother,[40] whereas a man’s role is to financially support his family.
[edit] Sex segregation
Main article: Sex segregation and Islam
See also: Purdah

Islam discourages social interaction between unmarried or unrelated men and women when they are alone, but not all interaction between men and women. This is shown in the example of Khadijah, a rich, twice widowed businesswoman who employed Muhammad and met with him to conduct trade before they were married, and in the example set by his other wives, who taught and counseled the men and women of Medina.

In strict Islamic countries, such as Saudi Arabia, sex segregation has been or is strictly enforced. The Taliban treatment of women in Afghanistan is an extreme example of this. Even in countries where the sexes mingle socially, they generally remain segregated within the mosque (see Women in religious life below).
[edit] Financial matters
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Islam gave women the right to own personal possessions. The traditional Islamic view is that because women should have no financial obligations they should have less rights in financial matters. For example, a women’s share of an inheritance, as outlined in the Qur’an, is typically less than that of men. In some limited cases, women get more, depending on their family status, and the existence of other heirs.[citation needed]

Some scholars maintain that women in Muslim societies had more property rights than in many other parts of the world.[41] However, these rights have rarely developed as the world has modernised and women’s rights in many Muslim dominated countries are severely restricted. Indeed it is mostly due to outside pressures, economic or political that women’s rights have progressed at all in many Islamic societies. As Valentine M. Moghadam argues, “much of the economic modernization [of women] was based on income from oil, and some came from foreign investment and capital inflows. Economic development alters the status of women in different ways across nations and classes.”[42] This is a proof that since always the status of women was influenced by the economy of the region and its development.
[edit] Financial obligations

Abdulla says that the Muslim women who listened to his speech gave praise to him regarding his ideas about love and relationships in Islam.

Women’s rights in the Koran are based around the marriage contract. A woman, according to Islamic tradition, does not have to give her pre-marriage possessions to her husband and receives a mahr (dowery) which she is allowed to keep.[43] However, once married the man has the dominant position as regards financial decisions, morally and legally. The position of single women is even more precarious when Islamic laws are applied fully. This is especially true when Islamic custom is mixed with local tribal/early modern customs as in Afghanistan.
[edit] Inheritance
Main article: Islamic inheritance jurisprudence#Women and inheritance

In Islam, women are entitled to the right of inheritance,[Qur’an 4:7] but often a woman’s share of inheritance is less than that of a man. In general circumstances, Islam allows females half the inheritance share available to males who have the same degree of relation to the deceased.[44] This difference derives from men’s obligations to financially support their families.[2]

Patterns of women’s employment vary throughout the Muslim world: as of 2005, 16% of Pakistani women were “economically active” (either employed, or unemployed but available to furnish labor), whereas 52% of Indonesian women were.[45]

Women are allowed to work in Islam, subject to certain conditions, in particular if a woman is in financial need.[46] Islamic law however, only permits women to work in certain circumstances and under strict conditions.[46]

* The work should not require the woman to violate Islamic law (e.g., serving alcohol), and be mindful of the woman’s safety.
* If the work requires the woman to leave her home, she must maintain her modesty.
* A woman may not be alone with a man, because as per Hadith, the “devil” will tempt them.

Even when women have the right to work and are educated, women’s job opportunities may in practice be unequal to those of men. In Egypt for example, women have limited opportunities to work in the private sector because women are still expected to put their role in the family first, which causes men to be seen as more reliable in the long term.[47]

An indicator of the medieval attitude of the Koran to women in the workplace is indicated by the quotes used to justify women working. These are the examples of two female shepherds ([Qur’an 28:23]), and Khadijah (prophet Muhammad’s wife), who was an eminent businesswoman. Khadijah is called up as a role model for females in the Qur’an.[46]

Furthermore, it is the responsibility of the Muslim community to organize work for women, so that she can do so in a Muslim atmosphere, where her rights are respected.[46]

However, the employment of women varies over fields in Islamic law. Whereas women may seek medical treatment from men, it is preferred that they do so from female physicians. It is also preferred that female schools, colleges, sports centers and ministries be staffed by women rather than men. On the contrary, there are disagreements between Islamic schools of thought about whether women should be able to hold the position of judge in a court. Shafi`ites claim that women may hold no judicial office, while Hanafites allow women to act as judges in civil cases only, not criminal ones. These interpretations are based on the above quoted Medinan sura (verse) [Qur’an 4:34].[48]

While many work outside home in responsible positions in Morocco, the law continues to treat them as minors and with discrimination. Specific fields of work clearly spells out that women and children below 16 years are restricted. Whereas this is argued from point of view of protecting them as child potential bearers, in some cases it is on moral grounds. The presumption is that women are less able to protect themselves, or that men are better able to resist the corrupting influences in such places.[49]
[edit] Legal and criminal matters

The status of women’s testimony in Islam is disputed. However it is generally accepted that if Islamic strictures are followed exactly, a woman’s status is less than that of a man in a court. Some Islamic jurists have held that certain types of testimony by women will not be accepted.[50]. In other cases, the testimony of two women can equal that of one man (although Quran says 2 women and 2 male are needed but if a male cannot find another male he may carry this testimony out himself).[50][Qur’an 2:282][51] Justifications for this discrimination have been put forward including: women’s “lack of intelligence”,[52] women’s temperament, women’s lack of interest in legal matters,[53] and also the need to spare women from the “burden of testifying”.[54] In other areas, women’s testimony may be accepted on an equal basis with men’s.[50][55]

Controversial tribal customs such as diyyat or blood money remain an integral part of Islamic jurisprudence. The implementation of this also discriminates against women. Commentators on the status of women in Islam have often focused on disparities in diyyat, the fines paid by killers to victims’ next of kin after either intentional or unintentional homicide,[56] between men and women. Diyya existed in Arabia since pre-Islamic times.[57][58] While the practice of diyya was affirmed by Muhammed,[58] Islam does not prescribe any specific amount for diyyat nor does it require discrimination between men and women;[56] the Qur’an has left open its quantity, nature, and other related affairs to be defined by social custom and tradition.[56][59] However in practice, the killing of a women will generally invoke a lesser diyyat than the killing of a man.
[edit] Rape
See also: Zina

[60]

The majority of Muslim scholars believe that a woman should not be punished for having been coerced into having sex.[61] According to a Sunni hadith, the punishment for committing rape is death, there is no blame attached to the victim, nor should she be the subject of any legal action.[62][63] Most scholars, however, treat rape instead as hiraba (disorder in the land),[64] which does not require four witnesses.
[edit] Honor killings
See also: Honor killing

So-called Honor killing (murders, nearly exclusively of women, of persons who are perceived as having brought dishonor to their families) are often identified with Islam, however, it can also be associated with Christianity, Judaism, Hinduism, Buddhism, and other religions, as well. Honor killings are more common in Muslim-majority countries, though they occur in other countries as well.[65] Many Muslim scholars and commentators say that honor killings are a cultural practice which is neither exclusive to, nor universal within, the Islamic world.[66]

According to law professor Noah Feldman in the New York Times, Islam “condemns the vigilante-style honor killings that still occur in some Middle Eastern countries.”[67]
[edit] Marriage and sexuality
A riverside Muslim wedding in India.
[edit] Who may be married?
See also: Islamic marital jurisprudence and Polygamy in Islam

Marriage customs vary in Muslim dominated countries. Cultural customs are sometimes implemented under the cover of Islam. However Islamic law appears to allow polygamy, marriage to a child and promotes the rights of men, in law, over women. Islamic scholars state that no age limits have been fixed by Islam for marriage. Children of the youngest age may be married or promised for marriage, although they say that a girl should not be allowed to get married until “she is fit for marital sexual relations”.[68] This attitude presents severe problems in the modern world where there are strict laws on child exploitation.

According to Islamic law (sharia), marriage cannot be forced.[43][69]

Islamic jurists have traditionally held that Muslim women may only enter into marriage with Muslim men,[70] although some contemporary jurists question the basis of this restriction.[70][71][72] This is pursuant to the principle that Muslims may not place themselves in a position inferior to that of the followers of other religions.[73] On the other hand, the Qur’an allows Muslim men to marry women of the People of the Book, a term which includes Jews and Christians, but they must be chaste[70][74] However, fiqh law has held that it is makruh (reprehensible, though not outright forbidden) for a Muslim man to marry a non-Muslim woman in a non-Muslim country.[70]

Polygamy is permitted under restricted conditions,[75] but it is not widespread.[76] However, it is strongly discouraged in Quran which says, ‘do justice to them all, but you won’t be able to, so don’t fall for one totally while ignoring other wife(wives)’. This also must be taken in historical context, as this was actually a restriction on the number of wives men of the Arabian tribes. Sometimes Pre-Islamic men could have up to 8 wives. Women are not allowed to engage in polyandry, whereas men are allowed to engage in polygyny (a man can take up to four wives at any given time as mentioned in Quran).[75] A widow inherits one quarter of the property of her deceased husband, however, if he had children the inheritance reduces to one eighth. The widow is allowed to marry any non-mahram person, if she wishes.[Qur’an 4:19]
[edit] Marriage contract
Main article: Islamic marriage contract
1874 Islamic marriage contract

The contract specifies the dowry (mahr) the groom gives to the bride upon their marriage. It may also specify where the couple will live, whether or not the first wife will allow the husband to take a second wife without her consent, whether or not the wife has the right to initiate divorce, and other such matters. The marriage contract somewhat resembles the marriage settlements once negotiated for upper-class Western brides, but can extend to non-financial matters usually ignored by marriage settlements or pre-nuptial agreements.

Abdulla says that the community of South Africa and her leaders were going through stages of ‘mis-direction,’ and the greater community should hold hands to bring the nation together.

In practice, Islamic marriages are entered into with a written contract, or with a “fill in the blanks” form supplied by the officiant. Islamic law, influenced by custom and/or rulings by local courts based on local law, governs the treatment of a divorcee or widow. Islamic feminists have been active in informing Muslim women of their rights under Islamic law (sharia) and encouraging them to negotiate favorable contracts before marriage.
[edit] Behavior within marriage
Main articles: Rights and obligations of spouses in Islam and Domestic violence and Islam

The Qur’an considers the love between men and women to be a Sign of God.[Qur’an 30:21] Islam advocates a harmonious relationship between husband and wife, and mandates that the will of the woman be honoured.[citation needed] It puts the main responsibility of earning over the husband. Both are asked to fulfill the other’s sexual needs.[citation needed] Husbands are asked to be kind to their wives and wives are asked to be obedient to their husbands. The Qur’an also encourages discussion and mutual agreement regarding family decisions.[43]
[edit] Sexuality
Main article: Islamic sexual jurisprudence

Islamic law has very restrictive interpretations of the role of sexuality, is generally suspicious of it, in particular women’s sexuality. More positively, some hold that Islam enjoins sexual pleasure within marriage; see Asra Nomani’s polemic “Islamic Bill of Rights for Women in the Bedroom”. Some examples of this influence are set out below. One can see from the references below that those captured in warfare have no rights and the captor may do as he pleases, presumably to women.

Qur’an 4:24— Also (prohibited are) women already married, except those whom your right hands possess: Thus hath Allah ordained (Prohibitions) against you: Except for these, all others are lawful, provided ye seek (them in marriage) with gifts from your property,- desiring chastity, not lust, seeing that ye derive benefit from them, give them their dowers (at least) as prescribed; but if, after a dower is prescribed, agree Mutually (to vary it), there is no blame on you, and Allah is All-knowing, All-wise.[Qur’an 4:24]

Qur’an 23:1-6—The Believers must (eventually) win through—those who humble themselves in their prayers; who avoid vain talk; who are active in deeds of charity; who abstain from sex; except with those joined to them in the marriage bond, or (the captives) whom their right hands possess—for (in their case) they are free from blame.

Qur’an 33:50—O Prophet! We have made lawful to thee thy wives to whom thou hast paid their dowers; and those whom thy right hand possesses out of the prisoners of war whom Allah has assigned to thee . . .

Qur’an 70:22-30—Not so those devoted to Prayer—those who remain steadfast to their prayer; and those in whose wealth is a recognized right for the (needy) who asks and him who is prevented (for some reason from asking); and those who hold to the truth of the Day of Judgement; and those who fear the displeasure of their Lord—for their Lord’s displeasure is the opposite of Peace and Tranquility—and those who guard their chastity, except with their wives and the (captives) whom their right hands possess—for (then) they are not to be blamed.

A high value is placed on female chastity (not to be confused with celibacy). To protect women from accusations of unchaste behaviour, the scripture lays down severe punishments towards those who make false allegations about a woman’s chastity.[Qur’an 24:4] However in most Muslim societies an accusation is rarely questioned and the women who is accused has rarely got a chance to defend herself in a fair and just manner. This is often due to the local cultural customs rather than as a direct result of classic Islamic teaching.

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Female genital cutting has been erroneously associated with Islam, but in fact is practiced predominantly in Africa and in certain areas has acquired a religious dimension[77] The factuality of this is disputed though, as a UNICEF study of fourteen African countries found no correlation between religion and prevalence of FGM.[78]
[edit] Divorce
Main article: Talaq

Common belief in the west is that women are not given the power to initiate divorce, where in fact the opposite is true. In Sharia Law a woman can file a case in the courts for a divorce in a process called “Khal’a”, simply meaning “Break up”. However, under most Islamic schools of jurisprudence, the husband must agree to the divorce in order for it to be granted, thereby leaving the husband in practical control.

Similarly, many wrongly believe that the man can totally divorce his wife by repeating the phrase “I divorce you, I divorce you, I divorce you!” in the presence of the woman. Sharia Law clearly states that divorce has to be confirmed on three separate occasions and not simply three times at once. The first two instances the woman and the man are still in legal marriage. The third occasion of pronouncing divorce in the presence of the woman, the man is no longer legally the husband and therefore has to leave the house. This procedure of divorce in Islam is such as to encourage reconciliation where possible. Even after divorce, the woman should wait three monthly cycles during which her husband remains responsible for her and her children’s welfare and maintenance. He is not permitted to drive her out of the house.[79] This process may leave the woman destitute should her family not take her back or the ex-husband fail to support her and possible his children.

After the third pronouncement they are not allowed to get back together as husband and wife, unless the wife enters into another lawful and fully consummated marriage and is unfortunate in that marriage and has a divorce from her husband. This rule was made to discourage men from easily using the verbal declaration of divorce by knowing that after the third time there will be no way to return to the wife and thus encourage men’s tolerance and patience.

Usually, assuming her husband demands a divorce, the divorced wife keeps her mahr (dowry), both the original gift and any supplementary property specified in the marriage contract. She is also given child support until the age of weaning, at which point the child’s custody will be settled by the couple or by the courts.

In the real world and outside of Islamic judicial theory, a women’s right to divorce is often extremely limited compared with that of men in the Middle East.[80] While men can divorce their wives easily, women face many legal and financial obstacles. In practice in most of the Muslim world today divorce can be quite involved as there may be separate secular procedures to follow as well.

This contentious area of religious practice and tradition is being increasingly challenged by those promoting more liberal interpretations of Islam.
[edit] Movement and travel

Both husbands and wives are required to inform their spouses before leaving home.[81]

Although no limitation or prohibition against women’s travelling alone is mentioned in Quran, there is a debate in some Islamic sects, especially Salafis, regarding whether women may travel without a mahram (unmarriageable relative).[81] Some scholars state that a woman may not travel by herself on a journey that takes longer than three days (equivalent to 48 miles in medieval Islam).[82] According to the European Council for Fatwa and Research, this prohibition arose from fears for women’s safety when travel was more dangerous.[81] Some scholars relax this prohibition for journeys likely to be safe, such as travel with a trustworthy group of men or men and women, or travel via a modern train or plane when the woman will be met upon arrival.[81]

Abdulla says that marriage in Islam was the most sacred vow to a Muslim woman.

Sheikh Ayed Al-Qarni, a Saudi Islamic scholar known for his moderate views, has said that neither the Qur’an nor the sunnah prohibits women from driving and that it is better for a woman to drive herself than to be driven by a stranger without a legal escort.[83] (He also stated, however, that he “personally will not allow [his] wife or daughters or sisters to drive.”[83]) Women are forbidden to drive in Saudi Arabia per a 1990 fatwa (religious ruling);[84] Saudi Arabia is currently the only Muslim country that bans women from driving.[85][86] When the Taliban ruled Afghanistan, they issued a 2001 decree that also banned women from driving.[87] John Esposito, professor of International Affairs and Islamic Studies at Georgetown University, has argued that these restrictions originate from cultural customs and not Islam.[85]
[edit] Dress code
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Main articles: Hijab and Hijab by country

Hijab is the Quranic requirement that Muslims, both male and female, dress and behave modestly. The most important Quranic verse relating to hijab is sura 24:31, which says, “And tell the believing women to lower their gaze and guard their private parts and not to display their adornment except that which ordinarily appears thereof and to draw their headcovers over their chests and not to display their adornment except to their [maharim]…”

Islamic scholars[who?] agree that a woman should act and dress in a way that does not draw sexual attention to her when she is in the presence of someone of the opposite sex. Some islamic scholars[who?] specify which areas of the body must be covered; most of these require that everything besides the face and hands be covered, and some require all but the eyes to be covered, using garments such as chadors or burqas.[citation needed] Most mainstream scholars say that men, in contrast, should cover themselves from the navel to the knees.[citation needed]

Sartorial hijab as practiced varies throughout the Muslim world. In Iran, strict hijab requirements are enacted in law, while in Muslim-majority areas of India, social norms rather than law dictate the wearing of hijab. At the opposite end of the spectrum is Tunisia, where the government is actively discouraging women from wearing the veil.[citation needed]

Sartorial hijab, and the veil in particular, has often been viewed by Westerners as a sign of oppression of Muslim women.[88] It has also been the cause of much debate, especially in Europe amid increasing immigration of Muslims;[89] the 2006 United Kingdom debate over veils and the 2004 French law on secularity and conspicuous religious symbols in schools are two notable examples.
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#6419
Re:OA News: Women in Islam 1 Month ago Karma: 0
The Prophet said that women totally dominate men of intellect and possessors of hearts. But ignorant men dominate women, for they are shackled by an animal ferocity. They have no kindness, gentleness or love, since animality dominates their nature. Love and kindness are human attributes; anger and sensuality belong to the animals. She is the radiance of God, she is not your beloved. She is a creator – you could say that she is not created.
– Jalal al-Din Rumi

The 1969 female eunuch was nothing but womb. The 1997 female eunuch has no womb.
– Germaine Greer

Can men any longer write about women? Will our discourse always fallaciously subjectivise the male, as the Lacanian digit to the feminine zero? Andrea Dworkin and many others are insistent here. And yet the theologian must oppose such a closure no less stridently. No-one should claim a monological right to instruct the other sex concerning moral thought and conduct. Moreover, and no less seriously, we must object to that anti-dialogical aspect of the prevailing academic feminism which, supported by biometric footnotes, proposes that men have nothing to say here because truly ‘female thought’ is on every level categorically different from the thought of males. On this view, sexual difference not only creates a predisposition to be interested in certain kinds of issues, but fundamentally affects every way in which we handle concepts. Knowledges are sexualised, we are told; ‘the very way in which we decide what is true and false is a function of sexual difference.’

One reaction against this view is voiced in detail by Jean Curthoys in her new book Feminist Amnesia. She applies a kind of Friedanite fundamentalism, lamenting the recent decline of 60s and 70s radical feminist theory which was grounded in assurances of identity between the sexes rather than mere equality. Conventional academic feminism today, she avers, draws on recent biology to posit a total epistemic discontinuity between male and female, so that all scholarship, and all conclusions about reality, are bifurcated accordingly, excluding all possibility of dialogue across the gender abyss. This aporetic cessation, she insists, is intolerable.

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Clearly there is force to her complaint. But equally clearly, both she and her antagonists go too far. Biologists and philosophers now converge on a median position which suggests that men and women do indeed think differently, but not so differently that they can form no judgement on each other’s conclusions. It is not just the practical implications which make this inference inescapable (could we tolerate, for instance, separate encyclopedias for each sex?). More seriously, the claim to aporia is to be rejected as forming part of a recent feminist turn away from rationality itself as an oppressive product and tool of ‘male linearity’. On this view, women’s discourse, sceptical about attempts to deduce any intrinsically true facts about reality, is hence pre-eminently responsive to the project of postmodernism, while men languish amid the rationalising games of late modernity. This thesis of male backwardness is intriguing and has appealed to many; yet remains without persuasive proof. As the Maturidis insist, rationality and morality are observed by the mind, not merely constructed by it. Is this scruple a ‘linear male objectification’? Surely it is just objectification: to claim that women have a categorically more indirect, empathetic, spontaneous approach to reality may be tantamount to affirming that they are less capable of sustained argument based on fact. Such a conclusion is far from universal among feminists, converging as it does with a certain masculine stereotype. Of course, it is almost certainly true, as Professor Carol Gilligan has argued, that ethical responses differ markedly between the sexes. For her, women ‘make moral decisions in a framework of relationships more than in a framework of rights’. Women’s ‘moral processing is contextually oriented’. This is uncontroversial. But value judgements amid the hurly-burly of lived reality are one thing; large generalisations about the nature of the world are quite another. And in the latter field, neither revelation nor reason persuade us that the two styles of argument, the male and female, cannot overlap.

South African President Omar Abdulla who gave a speech at the “Women in Islam,” congregation in Lenasia said that he had encouraged women to ‘love their partners,’ and stick to the teachings of the noble Quraan.

What follows, therefore, is not an androcentric apologia, although a deliberate or even unwilled male discourse is inescapable and is not inherently improper. It claims to be factual, not a self-authenticating view from within a particular ‘gendered’ language-game.

A second preliminary point raises the entire problem of gendered approaches to spirituality. The British religious philosopher John Hick, in a recent moment of feministic reflection, proposed that ‘because of the effects upon them of patriarchal cultures, many women have ‘weak’ egos, suffer from an ingrained inferiority complex, and are tempted to diffusion and triviality.’ He thus suggests that women experience greater difficulties in becoming saints because the spiritual struggle can only be undertaken by a coherent, confident personality. On this view, women must pass through two stages in achieving sainthood, while men require only one.

A little reflection will reveal that this position suffers from two sharp problems. For a start, it deploys an unexamined stereotype of traditional women as shallow and easily distracted; whereas any observation of women’s attendence at, say, salat, or a Turkish mevlud, suggests that women’s devotional behaviour tends to be not palpably less sober, or focussed or directed than that of men. Often it is women rather then men who retain a more serious faith under secularising conditions; although this may flower in the privacy of the home, rather than under public scrutiny in the mosque. Secondly, it implies that spiritual growth is a primarily mechanical, discursive procedure whereby the will overcomes passion, leading to the detachment from the world which is the precondition for sainthood. This begs some fundamental questions about the spiritual life; Hick’s image may hold good for some forms of Christianity and Hinduism, but cannot be applied to many other varieties of religious development, where the conscious, calculating will is deliberately pushed into the background. Specifically, what is characteristically male about love-based mysticism? The insistence that the mind is a prison, and that emotion and spontaneous love of God, triggered by relatively informal practices of the dhikr type, is a commonplace even of ‘male’ spirituality. Here, for instance, is a poem by Rumi:

‘In the screaming gale of Love, the intellect is a gnat.
How can intellects find space to wander there?’

And again:

‘Do not remain a man of intellect among the lovers, especially if you love that sweet-faced Beloved.

May the men of intellect stay far from the lovers, may the smell of dung stay far from the east wind!

If a man of intellect should enter, tell him the way is blocked, but if a lover should come, extend him a hundred welcomes!

By the time intellect has deliberated and reflected, love has flown to the seventh heaven.

By the time intellect has found a camel for the hajj, love has circled the Ka‘ba.
Love has come and covered my mouth.

It says: ‘Throw away your poetry, and come to the stars!”

Perhaps a modern Protestant theologian will have problems with this; but most traditional religions assume that the way to God is through the heart, not the mind. So Hick’s idea that ‘patriarchy’ slams the door to God in the face of traditional women simply because they are (supposedly) less cerebral than men, seems distinctly unpersuasive. He is simply a victim of his own cultural and denominational limitations.

With these preliminary points in mind, let us now move on to the core issue. Modern women writers on religion, such as Rosemary Ruether, insist that all talk of gender in religions has to start in the beginning, with the archetypes. What do images of God tell us about the place of men and women in the world?

In her book Sexism and God-Talk, Ruether objects to ways in which Christian metaphors about God’s maleness are taken literally. For her, the Decalogue’s prohibition of idolatry ‘must be extended to verbal pictures. When the word Father is taken literally to mean that God is male and not female, represented by males and not females, then this word becomes idolatrous.’ She acknowledges that Christian doctrine affirms that all language about God is analogous. Nonetheless the use of male terms for the Ultimate Reality, and the characteristically Christian emphasis on the personhood of God, has regularly resulted in this kind of idolatry. Her solution is to urge the use of inclusive language, so that God is referred to from time to time as the ‘Goddess’, or as ‘She’. Ruether even objects to the idea of God as parent, suggesting, no doubt absurdly, that this encourages what she calls a virtue of spiritual infantilism which makes ‘autonomy and assertion of free will a sin.’

Abdulla says that women were slowing living up to their ‘hierarchy,’ in the modern world by partaking in community projects for ‘the betterment of society.’

Despite her promethean confidence in her ability to revise tradition, Ruether has been famously outstripped by Mary Daly, a former Catholic theologian who now, like several influential feminists, describes herself as a ‘witch’. Her book Beyond God the Father rejects even the metaphorical possibilities of traditional language. To call God Father, she insists, is to call fathers God. The Trinity is thus revealed as ‘an eternal male homosexual orgy’. As the engendering matrix of the world, God is, in fact, paradigmatically female. And the world itself, as mirror of heaven, ‘bears fruit’, and is hence female also. The male principle is the alien force, the nexus of disruption, aggression, and sin. Daly seems to approach the almost dualistic notion that God is female, while the ‘horned’ devil is male. This gendered Manicheanism may seem a bizarre inversion of Augustine’s androcentrism, but her books are hugely influential, selling in hundreds of thousands of copies.

Not every figuring of the divine is androcentric, of course. Luce Irigaray observes that it is in the West that ‘the gender of God, the guardian of every subject and discourse, is always paternal and masculine’. Even Orthodoxy is more aporetic in its metaphorical gendering of the sacred. The paintings of El Greco, as they reflect his trajectory from the timeless icon-painting of his native Crete, through his studies in Venice under Tintoretto, to the Toledo of the muscular Counter-Reformation, reveal a process of increasing concretisation, with growing attention to perspective, expression, and sharpness of form. His Christ, in his late, ‘Catholic’ paintings, is more human than divine; and hence more humanly and authentically male.

In this respect, perhaps more than in any other way, ours is not a Western tradition.

Islamic theology confronts us with the spectacular absence of a gendered Godhead. A theology which reveals the divine through incarnation in a body also locates it in a gender, and inescapably passes judgement on the other sex. A theology which locates it in a book makes no judgement about gender; since books are unsexed. The divine remains divine, that is, genderless, even when expressed in a fully saving way on earth.

The source of this teaching is unproblematic for believers. Secular historians might see it differently, as confirmation that early Islam was not covenantally-defined. Andromorphic views of the divine were necessary to Judaism, which was communally constituted in opposition to neighbouring goddess-worship, whence the imagery of Israel as ‘God’s bride’. This continued in the Christian church, the ‘New Israel’, the ‘bride of Christ’, as the Church Fathers waged war on the goddess cults of late antiquity, and also, increasingly, on ‘woman’ herself as the paradigm of responsibility for the Fall. But Islam’s community of believers never saw itself as a feminine entity, despite the interesting matronal resonances of the term umma. The Islamic understanding of salvation history did not require that Allah should be constructed as male.

From a theologian’s standpoint it might be said that Islam averts the difficulty identified by Ruether through its emphasis on the divine transcendence (tanzih). The same ‘desertlike’ abstract difference of the Muslim God which draws reproach from Christian commentators also allows a gender-neutral image of the divine. Allah is not neuter or androgynous, but is simply above gender. Even Judaism, which generally has fewer problems in this area than has Christianity, does not go this far. In the Eighteen Benedictions said by pious Jews every morning and evening, we find the words: ‘Cause us to return, O our Father, to thy Law,’ while in Deuteronomy 8.6, we read: ‘As a man disciplines his son, the Lord your God disciplines you.’

Such references to God as Father are less common in the Old Testament than the New, but they are still abundant, and are thorns in the path of gender-sensitive liberal theologians.

When we turn to the Qur’an, we find an image of Godhead apophatically stripped of metaphor. God is simply Allah, the God; never Father. The divine is referred to by the masculine pronoun: Allah is He (huwa); but the grammarians and exegetes concur that this is not even allegoric: Arabic has no neuter, and the use of the masculine is normal in Arabic for genderless nouns. No male preponderance is implied, any more than feminity is implied by the grammatically female gender of neuter plurals.

The modern Jordanian theologian Hasan al-Saqqaf emphasises the point that Muslim theology has consistently made down the ages: God is not gendered, really or metaphorically. The Quran continues Biblical assumptions on many levels, but here there is a striking discontinuity. The imaging of God has been shifted into a new and bipolar register, that of the Ninety-Nine Names.

Muslim women who have reflected on the gender issue have seized, I think with good reason, on this striking point. For instance, one Muslim woman writer, Sartaz Aziz, writes:

I am deeply grateful that my first ideas of God were formed by Islam because I was able to think of the Highest Power as one completely without sex or race, and thus completely unpatriarchal . . .

We begin with the idea of a deity who is completely above sexual identity, and thus completely outside the value system created by patriarchy.

Abdulla says that the community of South Africa had wished him well on his ‘awesum foursum,’ tour of the country in coming months.

This passage is cited by the modern Catholic writer Maura O’Neill, who writes on women’s issues in dialogue, and who rightly concludes: ‘Muslims do not use a masculine God as either a conscious or unconscious tool in the construction of gender roles.’
This does not mean that gender is absent from Muslim metaphysics. The kalam scholars, as good transcendentalists, banished it from the non-physical world. But the mystics, as immanentists, read it into almost everything. We might say that while in Christianity, relationality is in the triune Godhead, and is explicitly male, in Islam, relationality is absent from the Godhead but exuberantly exists in the Names. To use Kant’s terms, the noumenal God is neutral, whereas the phenomenal God is manifested in not one but two genders. The two leading modern scholars of this tradition in Islamic thought are Izutsu and Murata, who have both noted the parallels between Sufism’s dynamic cosmology and the Taoist world view: each sees existence as a dynamic interplay of opposites, which ultimately resolve to the One.

The Sufi metaphysicians were drawing on a longstanding distinction between the Divine Names that were called Names of Majesty (jalal), and the Names of Beauty (jamal). The Names of Majesty included Allah as Powerful (al-Qawi), Overwhelming (al-Jabbar), Judge (al-Hakam); and these were seen as pre-eminently masculine. Names of Beauty included the All-Compassionate (al-Rahman), the Mild (al-Halim), the Loving-kind (al-Wadud), and so on: seen as archetypally feminine. The crux is that neither set could be seen as pre-eminent, for all were equally Names of God. In fact, by far the most conspicuous of the Divine Names in the Koran is al-Rahman, the All-Compassionate. And the explictly feminine resonances of this name were remarked upon by the Prophet (s.w.s.) himself, who taught that rahma, loving compassion, is an attribute derived from the word rahim, meaning a womb. (Bukhari, Adab, 13) The cosmic matrix from which differentiated being is fashioned is thus, as in all primordial systems, explicitly feminine; although Allah ‘an sich’ remains outside qualification by gender or by any other property.

Further confirmation for this is supplied in a famous hadith, preserved for us by al-Bukhari, which describes how during the Muslim conquest of Mecca a woman was running about in the hot sun, searching for her child. She found him, and clutched him to her breast, saying, ‘My son, my son!’ The Prophet’s Companions saw this, and wept. The Prophet was delighted to see their rahma, and said, ‘Do you wonder at this woman’s rahma for her child? By Him in Whose hand is my soul, on the Day of Judgement, God shall show more rahma towards His believing servant than this woman has shown to her son.’ (Bukhari, Adab, 18)

And again: ‘On the day that He created the heavens and the earth, God created a hundred rahmas, each of which is as great as the space which lies between heaven and earth. And He sent one rahma down to earth, by which a mother has rahma for her child.’ (Muslim, Tawba, 21)

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